MATAKAOA COUNTY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11955, 27 May 1933, Page 4

MATAKAOA COUNTY

PROBLEM OF NATIVE RATES

ARREARS

MR SAXBY’S PROPOSITION “STATE SHOULD FIND MONEY

AND RECOUP ITSfcLF LATER” TE ARAROA, May 2G.

The Native Eating Commission heard both sid'es Of the case 'Ui connection with Native rate arrears during its sitting here. On behalf of the Matakaoa County the new Commissioner (Mr C. H. Bull) outlined that body’s financial difficulties and the part that Native rates arrears had played in hampering it. ' Mr Kemp, the county chairman, contended that the upkeep of all roads, both main and Secondary, should be financed to a much greater extent out of the petrol tux funds, lie also put forward tho plea that a jiational lottery should be held to aid the finances of hospitals. Mi- Metcalfe strongly opposed any contention that the Natives should be deprived l olf their lands on account of inability to meet their rates. If the Natives wore put off tlioir lands, it would simply moan that they would (in time become a burden on the State

Mr Saxby put forward the proposition that the Stale should advance To local bodies tho amounts in arrears in (respect to Nutivo rates aiid, 'in turn, collect tho amounts from 'the Native owners. What had to ho boriid in mind was that the State was in a better portion ’to wait than tlio local bodies. The Native side of the matter was stressed by Captain W. T, Pitt, who was supported by Dr. Wi .Repa and Mr R. T. Kohero. It was jjomted out that in the past tho Natives had’paid as much df Their rates, as lay "in )i>hdir"poi\vdr. To-day,’ howdf or,' they were in financial 'difficulties ' just* Us wWg ho 'hiaiiy' ’ pakeha’ ratepayers. Tliei-e was ho- desire on the- part of the NativbS to escaph tKeirratirtgliabi Hi ties. At' least all arrears Should ho allowed to stand over. It was agreed that the appointment of the commission hadl been very timely, , At 'the ' conclusion' of tho sitting,' df, the Cbnimission (tho Hon. A. Dl McLeod) thanked Loth dides for -the conciliatory''• attitfido which they'had adopted in tho 'matte.')" ■ ' 1 ' ; ; '!■ V