NATIVE RATES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22984, 11 March 1938, Page 10

NATIVE RATES

DEVELOPMENT LANDS

MINISTER'S UNDERTAKING

EFFORT TOWARD PAYMENT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] I ROTORUA, Thursday The question of payment of rates on nntivo land, which has for years been a very vital 0110 to the Rotorua County Council owing to the largo amount of native land development work being undertaken in its district, was carried a further stage yesterday when tho council received an assurance from tho Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, that., with tho schemes now showing somo return, consideration would be given to tho question of placing the sections on tho valuation roll of Iho county and meeting tho rates payments.

Tho Minister pointed out that, while development was in progress, it was impossible for the Government to pa.v rates out of loan moneys. Now that some of tho areas had reached a stage of productivity, ho had arranged with tho registrar of tho Waiariki Native Land Board to investigate tho position so that thoso sections which it was thought could reasonably be expected to meet annual charges, including rates, should be placed on the valuation roll. "When this had been done an effort would be made by the department to pay the arrears of rates outstanding, and later current rates.