PARIHAKA PA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 October 1924, Page 5

PARIHAKA PA.

THE TAXATION QUESTION. . MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. . ' (By to Star.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. The Hon. J. G. Coates, Native Minister, has informed Mr Holland that he was misinformed in making the suggestion that any judgment of the Native Land Court has been withheld in connection with the Parihaka Pa. These judgments always take effect according to their tenor immediatelv they are pronounced. Possibly the member referred to a recommendation that, certain portions of Parihaka should be set aside as native reservations; if go, there were leg;il difficulties owing to the peculiar nature of the title. In a way this was being given effect to in 1923. Sir Maui Pomare, member for the Western Maori district, presented the petition of Poi Wharepouri and thirtyfive others praying that rates should not be levied on Papakainga, known as Parihaka. This, petition was on September 9 last referred to the Native Affairs Committee bv the Government for inquiry, and the Native Trustee lias been directed to investigate the matter and report. While a portion of the Parihaka bloelc could justly be exempted from the payment of rates how far it was possible to obtain revenue for the payment of rates on the parts not exempted, and whether there were any special cases of hardship on individuals to be considered, pending receipt of information it is not intended to introduce special legislation in connection with the matter.