NATIVE RATES
CHIEFS PROTEST. KING COUNTRY LANDS. * TE KUITI, Oct. 27. A native rating case attracted a large gathering of Maoris from various parts of the King Country when it came before the Native Land Court tinder Judge MacCormick. The object of the Maoris was to oppose an application by Mr F. O. R; 'Phillips, for the Otorohanga County Council, * or . a charging order against their lands in satisfaction of rates. Eloquent orations were patiently listened to from leading chiefs in opposition to the application. Mokina Patupatua, Maniapoto chieftan, vigorously reminded the Court of an agreement made by Hon. J. Bryce, Native Minister, with the essembled native chiefs, at Kihikihi, in the year 1884. when the passing of the Main Trunk railway line through the King Country was under discussion. The speaker definitely affirmed that no rates should be collected until all these lands were cultivated and were in a state of productivity. Mokina also pointed out that the natives assembled at Waitangi celebrations this year, representing all the tribes, formed a committee of which he was a member. That committee asked the members of Cabinet present: (1) That all past native rates owing be wiped out; (2) that some equitable arrangement he made for future payment of rates on productive land only. Judge MacCormick intimated that he was only there to administer the law as he found it The Rating Act made it imperative that the natives should pay. Moreover they had four representatives in Parliament to whom they should make their representations.
Mokina: There are none of them any good. Judge MacCormick: One of them spent many thousands of pounds improving King Country lands, so he must be some good. Mokina: Most of the money you mention might just as well be buried in the sandhills by the sea shore. Judge MacCormick: As far as the rates are concerned the Court is bound by law to make the order asked for. On the chiefs declaring that further representations would be made the Court intimated that the orders would not be made operative t for twelve months.
A monster petition is now being signed by the assembled natives.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19341029.2.92
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 29 October 1934, Page 8
Word Count
359NATIVE RATES Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 284, 29 October 1934, Page 8
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