UNPAID NATIVE RATES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19809, 2 December 1927, Page 14

UNPAID NATIVE RATES.

Sir, —Your correspondent, Mr. Geo. Graham, makes the following statement: "Mr. Thornes would have us believe that no native land pays rates, and that the Maori is a passive resister to such a liability." As I never even suggested such a thing I will ask Mr. Graham to confine himself to facts in discussing this question. Mr. Graham states that "where such rates remain unpaid the reason will always be found to be the absolute inability of the owners to pay." As Mr. Graham cannot possibly have the information to juslit y such a statement he has no right io make it, and I venture to think that the authorities who are unable to collect the rate would tell a different story.. He asks would I agree to this amendment to" tho Act: "That every native owner of a block of land be enrolled as a ratepayer, thereby allowing the Maoris to be represented at all local body elections in their full numerical strength?" Mr. Graham is asking that where a block of native land is hel l communally—possibly by 40 or 100 natives—that each native should have a vote at local body elections ? What a nonsensical proposition! Joint European owners have not that right, firms or companies have mot that right, and it would be a perfectly ridiculous position if they had. Mr. Graham ''suggests that Mr. Thornes suspend his judgment and se<> how the new legislation works he'ore con demning it in advance," and lie further savs "the legislation now approved is intended as a fair solution of this problem " I venture to condemn this in advaru-p. because it is not a fair solution of this problem; and T doubt if it is even "in fended" as such. If 1 "wait until"T w how this legislation works" f shall Hnvn to outlive Methusalah: that is. if T wait, till it results in tho payment of the outstanding rates, or anv part of them T>t anv unbiased, thinking person read the scheme as proposed by the Minister "f Native Affairs, Mr. Coates, and renorted in the Herat.l) of November 26 and try •to see how it could oossibly result in the solution of the problem of outstanding rates, and T think they will condemn the proposal's as doomed to failure beforehand, which is the conclusion I reluctantly name to—notwithstanding Mr. Graham's hint to the contrary. 3. Thoknes. 231, Parnelt Road.