NATIVE RATES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 266, 6 August 1931, Page 7

NATIVE RATES

Waiapu County Concerned

At a meetinc of ratepayers in the Waiapu county held at Tokomaru Bay, a resolution was carried unanimously that the present unsatisfactory position regarding the collection of Native rates by the Watapu County Council should be brought under notice, and pointing out the necessity for the immediate introduction of such legislation as may be necessary in order to secure either of the two following results:— . , 1. That the process for recovering Native rates in arrears shall be, in al) respects. similar to that in force as regards European rates in arrears. 2. That failing enactment of the fore,'going, and if it is the opinion of the Government that the Natives are entitled to some alleviation as regards the payment of county rates, then that the county councils should be reimbursed by the Government, to the extent of the loss thereby sustained, which it is obviously unfair should be a burden on the finances of county councils, when it is realised that the rates levied represent a charge for definite benefits conferred on those liable for payment. . In the past year the amount of Native •ates levied hv the Waiapu County Coun•il wns £lO 099 of which £2632 was collected. leaving £8367 outstanding. It is stated that the capita] value of rateable land. in Native occupation ts £1,319.880, and the latest stock returns show that Natives In Waiapu county own 183,207 sheep, which is one-half of the sheep in the Waiapu county.