MAORI VIEWPOINT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 123, 27 May 1933, Page 15

MAORI VIEWPOINT

NATIVE LAND KATES

a burning rropic %?.

* The attitude of Maoris in regard to the non-payment of rates on Native-! land was stated in plain language whoa the Native Eating Commission held a sitting at Kuatoria, where about 200 Maoris had assembled to greet members of the Commission, and at tho samo time pJaco on record their views of the controversy which has been, a burning topic on the coast for a long time past (states tho "Auckland Star"). When the real business of the Commission commenced' Mr. W, T. Pitt, representing a large group of Native landowners, occupied three hours in outlining the situation as seen through the eyes of the Maoris. It was out of tho question, he contended, for any settlement to be made of outstanding rates which had been accumulating for years, although it was admitted that a settlement of this aspect of tho problem would be an encouraging preliminary to evolving a satisfactory basis for the future. Native owners would willingly meet rating obligations if they had any income with which to do so, but at a time when even Europeans, who wero in much better circumstances, were unable to meet their obligations it was clcai;ly impossible for Natives to meet this demands made upon them. Criticising suggestions made on behalf of county, councils at previous sittings, Mr. Pitt condemned anything that would facilitate the alienation of Maori lands. • Many schemes now being developed, ho said, would largely remedy the situation and might bo expected in future to yield revenue to local bodies and the State. The policy of successive Governments had been to reserve at least a. portion of tho original Native holdings for tho use of the Maori race, and surely it would not be suggested that the only lands preserved for this purpose should be those which were unprofitable to work. Mr. Pitt also alleged that local bodies had not given Native owners equitable treatment in the matter of access roads, yet unless this was done it was clear that Maoris could not successfully farm their, own lands, become economically independent, and incidentally meet their liability j for rates. .''.>. Mr. K. S. Williams, M.P., replied to some points raised by Mr. Pitt, and Mr. J. S. Nugent, counsel for the Waiapu iCounty Council, denied that there had been any unfair discrimination in the expenditure of council funds. . '■.■■■ :. '■ ■_ , I