The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1936. MAORI RATEPAYERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 10

The Dominion. FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1936. MAORI RATEPAYERS

One of the baffling minor problems awaiting the attention of the Government is how to deal with defaulting Maori ratepayers. Local bodies have protested time and again, there have been innumerable questions in Parliament, and still the problem remains unsolved, while the aggregate of rates in arrear grows larger each year. Yesterday's deputation to the Prime Minister in his capacity as Minister of Native Affairs told the same old story of the laxity of the Maori ratepayer and the apparent impossibility of dealing with him. Hr. Broadfoot, in whose constituency of Waitomo the trouble seems to be a standing one—he- has mentioned it frequently in Parliament—stated yesterday that accumulated rates for three years ended March 31, 1934, totalled £llB,OOO, involving thirty local bodies. Of that amount £17,000 had been collected, leaving a balance of over £lOO,OOO unpaid. That is a very serious loss of revenue, and cannot be allowed to continue. After all, Maori landowners share in the amenities provided by the local bodies out of revenue, and it is fair that they should contribute to the cost. Many do, but on Mr. Broad foot's figures there must be a very large number who do not. Among certain sections of the Maori population there is an antagonistic attitude to the payment of rates and the penalties attached to arrears. At a meeting of chiefs held at Waitangi in November, 1934, a discussion on the question drew from one speaker a remark that rates were simply a form of confiscation, as those in arrear through no fault of theirs were liable to have their lands attached, and this in the long run meant forfeiture. Sir Apirana Ngata’s plan for the solution of the problem was to assist Maori landowners to make farming pay, and thus produce an income from which they could pay their dues without embarrassment. But, as Mr. Broadfoot pointed out in a speech in the House, such a long-term scheme does not meet the immediate and pressing requirements of the local bodies who are endeavouring to balance their budgets. Mr. Savage has promised to refer the question to Cabinet, but it is really part and parcel of the larger one of Native policy, which the new Government is at present reviewing.