NATIVE LAND POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19072, 17 July 1925, Page 10

NATIVE LAND POLICY.

THE COLLECTION OF RATES

ROYAL COMMISSION DESIRED

[EY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Thursday.

Tho anomalies existing in tho law in relation to the settlement of native lands were referred to by Mr. J. Soler, of Taumarunui, at the South Auckland local bodies' conference. He said that greater facilities should be provided for the settlement of native lands. He considered that the native leases should bo extended to 42 years and the conditions of purchase should be made easier. One-third of tho purchase price should be paid iri cash and tho balance in instalments extended over 10 years.

The speaker criticised the system of valuation of native lands and said that too much was credited to the value of unearned increment. Further, no allowance w;is made in the valuation for inaccessibility. Ife deprecated "the taihoa policy," which, he said, appeared to bo followed by the Government in the matter of settlement of native lands.

Mr. Campbell Johnstone said that as far as native affairs were concerned tho present Minister was as bad as his predecessors in his dilatoriness. The speaker maintained that tho Maoris were receiving far more consideration than they were entitled to. The county councils could not get anything done. Mr. R. K. King, Tauranga, said that his council had levied rates on native lands averaging £I2OO a year, but had been successful, in collecting only £4O a year. Tlie legislation passed to deal with the matter had not been very practical. Tho conference resolved that the Government be requested to appoint a royal commission to consider all matters relating to the settlement of native lands and tho collection of native rates with a view to simplifying the present procedure.