NATIVE RATES

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 6

NATIVE RATES

COLLECTION DIFFICULTY

LOCAL BODIES SEEK RELIEF

(By Telegiaph—lhess Association ) ROTORUA, May 30

Representatives of counties and in-1 teicsted local bodies in. all parts of the 1 North Island attended an important I coufeieueo held, at Botor.ua today, when the quebtion of Native lates i\as fully chbeussed and a compiehensive motion iv as drafted foi bubnnssiou to Cabinet. The delegates piesent without exception stiesscd the senous position in which their iespecti\e local bodies weie, placed owing to the difacultj of collectnig Native lates and the veiy largo sums in arrears, which had accumulated. It was, pointed out that pakeha latepayeis veio. being asked to cany the iull buiden of constiucting; loads and budges which were extensively used by Natives, and the opinion was ei.piessed emphatically that measuies must be taken to relieve the difficulties which have been created. ■ Although not fully examined, ■ the position ot hospital levies with legaitl to the Natives was, also stressed, and it was pointed out tha,t hero again the, European ratepayer was cariying the burden. The opinion was expressed that the time had now amved when the Natives must bo prcpaied to accept a fair shaie of. tho buiden. TII9 confeience discussed the provisions of the Native- Eating Amendment Bill o£ last session whiqh was withdiawu fiom the House, and expressed the unqualified opinion that it would not prove satisfactory. The motion was earned.. IEGISXATION SUaOESTEDt. "While appio\mg the pnnciplo of Nativo land development under proper supervision, tho confeienco expicssed the opinion that the existing maLlnneiy tox th& collection of unpaid Native rates was costly and. ineffeeti-eo. Tho conference requested Cabinet to bring before the legislatuio an amending Bill on tho following lmCs-—(I) Every local authority having Nativo land within its boundaiies shall preparo a list of Native- lands deemed to be- non rateable, such lands to bo declared exempt from, all rate- charges; (2) that tho Native owneis of such remaining lands shall have the right of objection to their land's remaining on. tho valua tioji roll; (3.) an assessment court shall hear and determine tho merits of such objections; (4) once in every jean a local authority may apply to the assessment court for such non lateable lands ,t.o be declared rateable-.

Tho confeienco also urged that pio vision bo made for the payment of a pioportion of rates on development lands, and that at least 50 pep cent, of, tho rates be a fiisfr charge, after living expenses, against tho land 01 pioduce.

The opinion was expressed that .the present foiux of long teim leases issued by Maou land boaids was an undesirablo foim of tenure, and that it should be replaced by leases similar to a Ciown renewable leaso

The conference finally decided that in the event of the Government refusing to- cany out the wishes of the eonfoicnce the matter of Nativo rates be treated as a national responsibility and payment bo made to several local bodies affected out of the Consolidated ;Fund.