TAXING THE NATIVE LANDOWNERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9145, 28 July 1891, Page 2

TAXING THE NATIVE LANDOWNERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — As tho bill for the ro-distribution of tho present heavy burden of taxation on a more equitable basis is now in tho hands of members of the House of Representatives, I trust that lion, members will recognise the imperative nocossity of seeing that it is framed so as to includo the natives as well as Euiopeans, as should tho former, enjoy their present exemption from all taxation, the proposed bill fails in its one great principle ~thatN)f re-distributing the present taxation on a more equal basis. However politic the exemption of the Maoris from taxation might hare been in days gone by, suca is not the case now, und if continued would be cruelly unjust to the British settler, on whose shoulders the heavy burden or taxation now rests. Surely if the Maoris are sufficiently advanced in civilisation as to be returned as members to the House of Representatives, and hold seats in the Legislative Assembly — political privileges which our forofathera only obtained after very many years of agitation, [ might almost s<iy revolution — they surely ought to pay towards the support of the State and local bodies, as the struggling settlor has to. The natives enjoy tho same protection a 8 regards life and property; the Law Courts, from the R.M. to the highest in the land (Court of Appeal), are open to them; and their members in Parliamect can vote on money bills directly affecting tho ratopayors, increasing taxation which they themselves are exempt from. That lam speaking w.thin the mark when oalling this exemption unjust and impolitic, I will now bliow : In the County of Taranaki-— its Chairman states that the County loses on oue rate alone A 500 per joar from exemption of natives holding individual titles to land from paying rates— the writer owns and occupies 52 acres of land, on which the following rates are levied ; Property Tax, Harbour rate, County rate,

Hospital rate. Ho has also to erect tli whole of his boundary fence, and clea half of the road of furze should it requir it; whilst his neighbor, being a Maor although holding 100 acres of land undc an individualised title, is exompt from a those burdens. I ask : Is this just ? Bi such the law allows at present. Let thi bo known outside the colony, and I ratbo think many dosirablo emigrants wh thought of settling in New Zealand wi hesitate, and enquire- is such the law ii other Colonies? and finding tha such is not tho case, thoy will not decid on settling in New Zealand. That th nativuß of New -Zealand have derivoi incalculable advantages from the colonisa tion of theso islands by tho British Go vernment fow will deny, for hud un; Foreign Power taken possession of Nev Zealand it would have claimed and tako all tho unoccupied land as Governinon land, and certainly not have granted tin savagOß, who were Iwrely ono short stOj removed from cannibalism, seats in tin Colonial Parliament — giving them powe to vote on money bills affecting the rate payers throughout tho colony, or by thei votes keoping a Ministry in oflice or turn ing it out, as the caso might be — for sue! things are quite possible with a tiarvov majority on the Government side. Vote are votes, and any Ministry with tin narrow majority that some of our Nov Zealand Miuiatries havo commanded woul( use its influence to secure tho native vote Ab the present Govormuout has a goo( majority, and seem desirous of doing wha is right and just — judging from what hai as yot been done — I hope shortly to sei this cruel injustico of exemption of th< natives from contributing a fair share ii rates und taxes removed ; and if tho Nativi Minister shows a still' backbone it can, am most probably will, bo done; if nst us ; whole body then Jet us have a part, b» any longer to continue the present systerr o£ taxation is a disgmco to our Legislature and a cruel injustice to tho settlors. — ] am, &0., W. K. Hulkb. Bell Block, July 23.