NATIVE RATES PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21515, 12 June 1933, Page 11

NATIVE RATES PROBLEM

SCHEME FOR COLLECTION LEVY ON CREAM CHEQUES PROPOSAL TO COMMITTEE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] KAITAIA, Saturday Tho Native Land Rating Committee sat at Kaitaia yesterday, when evidence was tendered on bdhalf of the Mangonui County Council, the Mangonui Hospital Board, and the Kaitaia Dairy Company. Mr. J. B. Reynolds, on behalf of the County Council, put forward a proposal for payment of native rates placed before the County Council some months ago by Mr. L. A. Mcintosh, secretary of the Kaitaia Dairy Company. The proposal was that dairy companies should make a levy on tho production of native suppliers, on a basis of ' 5 per cent of the monthly cream cheques. When any suppliers' levy equalled the amount of rates due the levy would automatically cease. In tho caso of the Mangonui County the revenue derived by this method would amount to £BOO a year at present. Mr. Reynolds said he had the full authority of the County Council to state that if the Government passed legislation to give effect to this proposal the council would absolve the Government from liability from all native rates after March 31 next, provided some settlement was made by the Government in respect of rates owing to that date. Figures supporting the proposition were produced by Mr. Mcintosh, who also suggested that dairy companies be paid 2 J per cent by county councils on all rates collected through the companies. Tho proposal was supported by representatives of the Kaitaia Dairy Company and tho Mangonui Hospital Board. At tho conclusion of evidence the chairman of the committee. Hon. A. D. McLeod, M.P., congratulated the County Council and the Dairy Company on the manner in which the case had been put forward. The scheme was the most helpful and constructive the committee had yet heard, and would receive very careful consideration.