NATIVE KATES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 70, 15 December 1933, Page 13

NATIVE KATES

Problem of Collection LEGISLATION NEEDED Series of Recommendations COMMITTEE'S REPORT The report of the special committee. which, during the recess, exhaustively investigated the problem of Native rating liability, was tabled in the House of Representatives yesterday. The committee found that there were no sound reasons why Natives on lands already reasonably developed should not pay full rates, that a statutory charge against the revenue from the land should be introduced. and that in the case of hospital liability, increased subsidies should be granted to districts serving large Native populations. Other recommendations were as folAfter reasonable provision has been made for living expenses of Natives on development schemes (the progress of which is highly commended), at least 50 per cent, of the rates should be the ’next charge against the land or produce, progressively increasing until development is attained. Wider use should be made of the authority to exempt unoccupied lands that have no rateable value. The charging-order system applicable to lands within borough and town district limits should secure to the local body up to 50 per cent, of the rates annually levied. Refusal to pay rates because road access is not provided to individual holdings is not justified. The committee consisted of the Hon. A D. McLeod, M.P. for Wairarapa, and Messrs. R. N. Jones and > J. H. Reid. The committee held meetings and heard evidence and statements from local authority and Native representatives at Wairoa, Gisborne, Tolaga Bay, Te Puia. Ruatoria, Te Araroa, Opotiki. Whakatane, Tauranga, Rotorua, Te Aroha, Paeroa, Thames, Whangarei, Kawakawa, Kaeo. Kaitaia, Rawene, Dargaville, Ruawai, Warkworth,' Auckland Ngaruawahia, Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Te Kuiti, Taumarunui, Waitara, Hawera, Wanganui, and Levin. In addition other interested North Island local authorities were communicated with, and a number of Native settlements and development schemes were inspected. From a close examination of figures and balance-sheets placed before the committee by various local authorities, the report states, it is quite apparent that by reason of non-payment of Native rates, together with the non-pay-ment of rates on certain Crown controlled lands occupied by Europeans, several local authorities, particularly within the Auckland province, are finding it extremely difficult to carry on; and without doubt in that province this is tending to strengthen a widespread demand that rural lands be entirely derated for reading and hospital requirements. Unoccupied Native Lands. As a result of its investigation, the committee is satisfied that in a number of counties there are considerable areas of Nativp land with no rateable value. It is suggested that the Nati.ve Department, acting in conjunction with the Valuation Department and the local authorities, should make a much wider • Mse of relevant legislation. Satisfied that, the great bulk of Native occupied or oecupiable land, is as well served by roads and bridges as the land of Europeans who are paying rates in the same localities, the committee points out that many Native holdings on which in recent years ' practically no rates have been paid have highways running through or fronting ■ them, and says it is unfair that European ratepayers alone should be compelled to pay the rates required for the construction and maintenance of such roads. “After full and careful consideration,” the report adds, “we find no reasonable ground for the Natives refusing to pay rates because of the failure of local authorities to. provide road access to each individual holding.” Referring to Native development echemes, the report states that the committee was greatly impressed by the progress made in most of the projects. In its opinion similar schemes should be brought into operation, with advantage both to the country generally and the Natives themselves. However, although much use was being made of the roads and other facilities already provided or maintained by local authorities, no rates were being paid on the land included in the schemes, and there was a tendency to treat the lands as Crown areas and exempt from payment of rates. This, in the opinion of the committee, apart from being unfair to local authorities, is not helping to educate Natives in one of the first essentials of citizenship. An Unjust Burden. The committee says it is in agreement with the contention of local authorities that provision should made for the payment of a proportion of rates on development lands, and recommends that, after reasonable provision is made for living expenses, at least 50 per cent, of the rates be the next charge against the land or produce, progressively increasing annually until such time as each holding is fully developed. “We know of no sound reason that the Natives should not also pay full rates,” states the committee in dealing with the Native occupied lands that are already reasonably developc ’. “No convincing reasons were advanced by Natives themselves and data submitted on behalf of a number of county councils proves that full use is being made by Natives of the facilities provided by local authorities. “Unless the State is menaced to meet fully the responsibilities for Native rates, it is unjust that e policy of non-payment by Natives should cast the liability on European ratepayers of particular districts. “Now that consolidation or individualisation of Native titles has reached the stage it has, we are of the opinion that a closer co-ordination between .the Valuation Department, the Native Department, and the Native Land Court is required. Local authorities periodically pay large amounts to the Valuation Department tor correct valuation rolls, and are entitled to more information regarding Native holdings than they are now receiving. Section 107 of the Rating Act. 1925. gives wide and extensive powers to the Native Land Court to protect the voting-rights of Natives, and we feel that if full use was made of those powers by the court and valuation officers, it would be of great assistance to local authorities. At present page after page of valuation rolls appear with the word 'Natives’ in the occupier’s column. “Within recent years,” the committee

states, “the collecting of an appreciable amount of Native rates has been an impossibility. The charging-order system against land has hopelessly broken down. No local authority, however, urgently in need of revenue, desires to see Natives dispossessed of their lands, and it is certain that no Government could stand by and watch Native land generally being compulsorily disposed of for rate liabili- * f ,\ heavy responsibility will, however, be thrown upon the State, or a weighty load cast on a section of ratepayers already overburdened, if something effective even if unusual, is not quickly attempted in the direction of ensuring payment of Native-land, rates being Provided for. A number of responsible authorities affected state that they would be satisfied during the depression with the payment by Natives of 50 per cent, of rates levied, provided payment was assured or guaranteed. Others just as strongly protest that it would be unreasonable to allow many Native landholders who are Europeans in every sense of the word, to escape payment of any portion of their rates.Charge Against Revenue. “After very careful consideration,” the committee adds, “we are of the that a statutory charge against_ the revenue from the land should be introduced. If this suggestion proves impracticable, we can suggest no other likely to be of value. A charge against dairy produce should not be difficult of application and collection, and against other forms ot production for which the use of roads and bridges is a necessity, not impossible. We therefore recommend that competent officers of Treasury and Law Drafting Departments investigate the matter and, if it is found practicable, we recommend that amending legislation be introduced accordingly.” , According to the committee, the prot>lem of Native liability to hospital and charitable institutions is becoming more difficult each year. “In the early stages Natives were suspicious of hospital treatment, but are now making full use of tne facilities offered. Natives are largely settling in localities where the climate suits them and where food supplies are more readily available. The result is that in some hospital districts, holding a huge Native population, the burden is becoming more than the European ratepayers can carry.” . In addition to the means suggested tor the collection of rates, the committee recommend that consideration be given to the granting of increased subsidies to those hospital districts serving the requirements of a large Native population. On the ground that little or no saleable produce is derived from Native land situated within borough or town district limits, the -committee states that it can suggest no practicable alternative to the present charging-order system. The committee, however, recommend that some less expensive and less cumbersome charg-ing-order method should oe framed, securing to local authorities up to 50 per ceiit.“of 'the rates annually levied against Native lands.