RATES ON MAORI LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23196, 16 November 1938, Page 20

RATES ON MAORI LAND

PROBLEM OF COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES URGED [by telegraph—own correspondent] TE KUITI. Tuesday Methods of collecting lates on Maori lands were discussed at a meeting of the Waitomo County Council. The chairman, Mr. W. A. Lee, Eaid ho had come to the conclusion that the only solution to tho problem lay in native land development, tho county council co-operating by granting a period free from rating liability, after which they could look forward to a progressive improvement in tho payment of Maori Mr. J. N. Boddio said that, when developed to the extent of tho Mahoenui blocks, rates should be expected from tho properties. It was little use trying to'collect rates off unproductive native land. "Wo have for years been trying to collect without any proper machinery rates from native lands that are unproductive," spid Mr. J. Georgetti. "We will never get anywhere with such a policy, but if wo show wo are out to help developments, then we can look forward to tho timo when rating liabilities will bo mot." The collection of rates upon properties under tho control of the Land Development Branch was also considered, and Messrs. Lee, Georgottuand Boddio wero appointed a delegation to take the matter up in Wellington.