FROM SCRATCH

Northern Advocate, 6 February 1934, Page 5

FROM SCRATCH

A FRESH START

MAORIS AND RATES. A SUSPENSION SUGGESTED. “UNAUTHORISED REPRESENTATIONS.” 1 i |. (Special to "Northern (i.fivno.ate.") , WAITANGI, This Day. The temporary suspension of the . | striking of native rates was one of the proposals placed before the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, and his Ministerial colleagues by the assembled native chiefs to-day. “The first spokesman, K. Poata, Ngapuhi, expressed the confidence the race had in Sir Apirana Ngata, 1 ' Minister of Native Affairs, who was regarded by them as a brother and a leader. Dealing with the considered decisions the assembled tribes had reached on the native rating question, Poata said the Maoris believed rating was in the broadest sense simply a means toward confiscation. The natives suggested that the striking of the rates should be suspended until such time as the Maoris could see their way to carry on and have the opportunity of consulting the Ministry further with a view to devising a solution of the problem. The request was made because it was felt that on the 94th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi the Maoris should be allowed to start from scratch as from today. ‘A more modified view was voiced by Marumaru, of Wanganui, who said his people considered the rates should be paid on the land that was producing and yielding financial returns, but that the accumulated arrears should be struck out altogether. Something of a* sensation was caused by the next speaker, the Rev. Kohere, who declared that the representations being made were unauthorised as a select committee of the tribes, which analysed the question throughout yesterday and last night, had arrived at no conclusions. “I am a mad derater,” he said, “and I am bursting to speak on the rating question, but I dare not, because the committee of tribes arrived at no decisions.” Sir Apirana Ngata,- speaking as a native representative, rather than a Cabinet Minister, said it was a most difficult gathering to size up as to the ; collective opinions, but he would endeavour to do it. He regarded the rating question as a minor one. It was : necessarily related to land settlement ■ and he considered honest opinion of i the bulk of thinking Maoris was that de-rating was not their request—it ■ was one in which they had been influenced by the Pakeha. < In the common life of the country, all amenities were available to every , section, irrespective of colour, but if ■ Parliament introduced derating, it would be a solution for the Maori land as well as for European land. Proceeding Sir Apirana said that as a matter of principle the Maoris could not object to the proposals of . the Rating Amendment Bill to collect t the revenue at its source —cream, 1 meat, wool and stock cheques— it was , a matter for Parliament to weigh up \ and decide what was a fair system. t Government’s View. y x , Replying, Mr Forbes said Hie Gov- s eminent was particularly anxious to deal fairly with the Maoris. It had : the advice of Sir Apirana Ngata and the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Finance, to guide it, and was in a position to decide the best use to which Maori lands could, be put in a practical way. Finance was the stumbling block. The future of the race depended upon the settlement of the land and i natives had responded to Sir Apirana 1 Ngata’s effort in this direction in a j splendid manner. The farms were ■ being developed on sound lines and the | policy of the Government would be j continued. The Government’s difficulties would be increased if the natives were not enabled to live upon their own lands. There was also a responsibility on J the part of the Maori people to do j their part on the rating question. The | position of local bodies had to be j borne in mind, in conjunction with | that of the native farmer. f “Wo feel,” added Mr Forbes, “that I when the Maori becomes a farmer he j should contribute some share of the | cost of maintaining, the roads, which I take his produce to market. The | Maori is a reasonable man, and should | consider what ho can do to assist.” j There was nothing in the suggestion I that rating would load to confiscation, j No Government would, allow that, or J anything: that would damage'the race, * In no way, Avon Id the Cabinet lot down ; those people who signed the Treaty of 1 Waitangi. It wxts hoped that a policy • beneficial to both races, would’result ;• from the conference. According to Mr Coates, there had • been n lot of political propaganda ■ over the rating question. There was i no intention on the part of the Gov- I eminent to rush matters. It was ex- | peeled, however, Hint when the native I Avns In an economic position to carry I his load, he would do it. At present I Hie Government Avas giving special r consideration to relioA'ing lands gen- j orally of some of the rating charges. Fair Deal Assured, Replying, Mr Forbes said ilia I the | Government was particularly anxious I to deal fairly with the Maoris, They I had the advice of Sir A. T. Ngata. and | the Rt, Hon. J. G. Coates to guide |

them, and Avere in a position to decide as to the best use to Avhieh Maori lands could be put in a practical Avay. ! Finance was the stumbling-block. The future rate Avould depend upon , settlement of the land, and the na- , tives had responded to Sir A. T. j Ngata’s efforts in this direction in a { splendid manner. Tho farms Avere bo- | ing developed on sound Hues, and the policy of tho Government Avould be ' continued. .; Tho Government’s difficulties Avould ; increase if tho natives Avere not en- ; allied to live upon ,their own lands, j There Avas also responsibility on the I part of the Maori people to do their | part. “j On the rating question the position f of local bodies had to bo borne in 2 j mind in conjunction Avith that of the • j Native farmer, “We feel,” added Mr s j Forbes, “that Avhen the Maori becomes • a farmer ho should contribute ’ some share of the« Cost of maintaining roads which take his produce to mar- ’ ket. The Maori is reasonable, and should consider what he can do to j assist.’ ’ I T,l °™ nothing in the suggestion that rating Avould lead to confiscation. ’ | No Government Avould alloAv that, nor ’ I anything that Avould damage the race. • In no Avay Avould the Cabinet lot . doAvn those people avlio signed tho [ Treaty of Waitangi. It hoped that a , policy beneficial to both races Avould , result from the conference. According to Mr Coates, there had been a lot of political propaganda over the rating question, and there , Avas no intention on the part of the Government to rush matters. It Avas expected, hoAvever, that AA'hon tho Native Avas iu an economic position to carry his load he would do It. At present tho GoA’ernment Avas (giving special consideration to relieving lands generally of some of the rating charges.

CLOSE CALL

EXHAUSTED SWIMMER. LAUNCH TO THE RESCUE. tSiiecial to “Northern Advocate.”) WAITANGI, This Day. ■Caught by the strong current when swimming above tho ucav bridge at Waitangi yesterday, Mr .Jack Johnson, aged 2(J, of Ohucatvai, found himself iu coiisldorablc difficulties. At first he attempted to progress against the current and the ebbing tide, but could make no headAvay. He weakened, axrd his cries for assistance ■ not being heard by those on shore, sank three times, swallowing a consid- ‘ orable amount of water. Fortunately', a launch noticed the SAvimmer’s predicament, and he was pulled over the side in a complete state of exhaustion, Mr Johnson was so shaken by his experience that he had to spend the night in camp. 1