PAYMENT OF RATES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2766, 24 August 1931, Page 8

PAYMENT OF RATES.

DEFAULT ,OF NATIVE RACE. A LONG-STANDING PROBLEM). A long standing problem which is overdue for settlement is the default of members of the' Native race in respect to the payment of rates. The loss to certain county councils in this connection is a vCj'y serious matter, and is Crippling their finances. In the House last week Mr K. S. Williams instanced the case- of the Waiapu County Council, in the Bay of' Plenty electorate. The capital value of the rateable land in Native occupation, he said, was, £1,319,000. The Council last year levied £10,999 in Native rates, of which only £2,632 was collected. During the past two years they had remitted £lB,OOO in Native rates. This is clearly an impossible situa= tion, and should be remedied. It is -admitted that some of the Maoris are in difficulties (so are the pakeha farmers), biit many of them are able to pay who do not. This is hardly playing the game. On the other hand, the pakeha, through Government at least, is treating the Maoris more than fairly. While most departments have been cut severely, it is notable thai the Native Department’s vote has been more than doubled, increasing fre m the £35,720 spent last financial year to an estimate of £74,393 for thi current yeajj. It should not'be all take and no give on the Maoris’ part.