MAORIS AND ROAD KATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13487, 14 May 1907, Page 5

MAORIS AND ROAD KATES.

NATIVE MINISTER'S ADVICE. iY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.]

,v,:-; New Plymouth, Monday. This aiternoon the chairman of the ' Tara■riaki County Council and; the chairman: of the Clifton County Council secured an interview with the Hon. J. Carroll (Minister for Native' Affairs), and discussed with him the question of the recovery of rates levied on native lands.

The deputation pointed out once more that Maoris were in many cases farming lands and conveying milk to the dairy factories, using the roads to the ■ same: extent as European settlers, but they paid no rates. The local bodies were loth to go to the expense of . Court proceedings, for there was a clause in the Native Land Rating Act, 1904, which stipulated that no judgment secured against a Maori for payment of rates could be acted upon, without the consent of. the Native Minister. The natives, it was believed, sheltered behind this clause, , and declined; to.' pay. The deputation asked Mr. Carroll to state definitely if lie would allow this to continue, or whether he would give his consent to the local; body; proceeding to ' the fullest extent in order to secure the payment of rates due. ;',:.'. , ~ ' ' : ->C:'-.

- The Minister told the deputation, to "fire away.'.' That was what he wanted. If they had to take the Maoris to Court, and judgments were obtained, he would see that the rates were paid, even if he had to take the land and pay the rates himself. . .