COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 7

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE

NATIVE LAND MATTERS.

The conference of this Counties' Association of New Zealand continued its sittings yesterday, Mr. A. E. .full (president) occupying the chair. , The committee set up to consider a number of remits dealing with Native aft'iiirs submitted their'report to tho conference. They reported that they were unanimously of die opinion that I.lie time had arrived when the Government should amend the Rating Act so far as it rein ted to Natiro lands, and they recommended:- (1) That the Act lie amended so as to enable accumulated rates to be registered against blocks of Native land instead of as at preeont having to register against the titles; (2) that fates accumulated from time to lime on land vested in the Maori Lauds Board, and not revenue-producing, bo loaded agaiast the lands in the name manner as is done in connection with Crown lands j (II) that in all cases,whore the Crown had purchased blocks of Native lands that they deduct the amount of rates due to local bodies, in whose district the land is situated from the purchase money payable, to the Natives, and refund it to Ihe local authority. With regard to the loading,of Native lands-, the committee recommended:—(l) The committee urge that Native lands he placed on the same footing as other lands as far as it relates to taking lands for reading, deviations, and' exchange of roads. (J) That'the. Maori land boards be compelled to form and construct all roads giving access to vested land in n proper and efficient maimer, and to the satUfactiou of the Jocal body., also Ilia plans of proposed suiidivisioiis bo submitted to the local bodies for their approval. The report of the committee was adopted, and it was resolved to appoint n deputation to place Hie recommendations under the notice of the Native .Minister. The committee deputed vo bring down recommendations regarding motor taxation reported as follows:—"That this committee recommends that the Customs duty on all motor vehicles, together with ai per cent, duty on all tyres, be collect ed by. the Govenun.mt through the Customs* and used towards Ihe increase of grants and subsidies asked for by Uie conference. That the .Tourist Department, through the Government, should make better provision for upkeep of tourist roadi which are severely damaged by motor traffic." / The report wild adopted, 4lie election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. A. E. Jul!, With pawn (re-elected); vice-presidents, Sir James G. Wilson, Bulls (re-elected). .Messrs. J. I*. Bailey (Huntly), J. D. liruce (Aharon), and .'. Cairns (Wakai nui); Executive Committee,.' Hon. J. I), (iow (Opotiki), Messrs. T. E. Crosse (Hustings), C. Matthews (Maligapapa), Ci. V. I'earce, M.P. (Kakatamea-, J. Conncit (Bell Block), J. Wall (Te Kuiti), It. Boddv (Tio Tin), C. >>. Orbcll (Levels), J. White (Gore), T. Ma : ?innis (Owaka), S. A. It. Mair (Jiangitifei), G. M. Hall (Cashmere), Al. Bethell (Culverden), S. T. Spain (Clyde, Otago); lum. auditor, Mr. S. Bolton (I'ahiatua).