RATES ON NATIVE LAND

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 11

RATES ON NATIVE LAND

Request For Action In Outstanding - Cases A decision to ask the Government to arrange for the Native Affairs Department to register liens for outstanding rates on Native lands against the title of the lands was made by the New Zealand Counties’ Association at its biennial conference in Wellington yesterday. The remit said: — “(1) With regard to the rates due on Native lands, where it is sought to recover the rates from the owners or beneficial owners, the local authorities shall submit certified lists of rates outstanding on Native lands at March 31 in each year to the Native Department, which, if it is satisfied, after giving the owner an opportunity of presenting his side of the case, that such rates are due, shall, without, further cost to the local authorities, register liens for such rates against the titles of all such lands, and be responsible for the full rates, unless in the joint opinion of the Department of Native Affairs and the county council or other rating authority concerned, the productivity of the property does not warrant such payment, but only portion thereof. “(2) That the Native Department, on assuming control of Native lands for development purposes, be made responsible for payment of 50 per cent, of the total rates then due, and thereafter during the progress of development work rates be paid on the basis of 50 per cent, for the first year and increasing by 124 per cent, each year till the full amount charged annually is payable. “(3) That in connectidn with Native land with potentialities for future development, the Government be asked to make an annual grant to the county councils concerned of 25 per cent, of the value of the total rates levied on such lands, till productively developed. ’