COLLECTING NATIVE RATES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12857, 4 March 1913, Page 5

COLLECTING NATIVE RATES.

ALMOST A SUPERHUMAN iPROB-

LTCM.

HON. HERRIES' VIEWS

(Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, MaTch 3.. In reply to deputations to-day urging that the natives should be placed on the same footing as Europeans in regard to rates, tbe .Hon. Herrics said the task of rating native land seemed to be superhuman, bait he had /asked local todies to make some' suggestions. By getting suggestions from everyone, they might evolve something that would meet the difficulty. The difficulty arose in the communist system of holding., lands.' It seemed to him that their efforts should foe devoted to trying .to, individualise the titles, "and; then the rating difficulty would disappear., The thing bristled with difficulties, but if it could be solved he would try to do it. Ho would call a meeting of representatives of County Councils; who would deal with the matter, and especially would clerks ba welcome, because they had generally tried all the different Acts and they could give valuable suggestions. He beMeved something could be done, and he was going to suggest* that the three years should be extended to six years, and then they might get a sum of money worth going for. The chairman: You agree the natives should pay rates ? The Minister: Yes. Be added if they worked on the communal title it was rather rough on the native <who worked his section and,paid rates, while tho other got off.

Mr. Herries will remain in, Gisborne •district until Thursday, when he leaves for Auckland via the coast bays. Tomprrow he goes over the railway line, and on^ Wednesday 'Will be present at tho Huia at- Manilla uke.