MAORI LAND RATING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 7

MAORI LAND RATING

MR. COATES INTERVIEWED. GOVERNMENT’S POSITION EXPLAINED. A GOOD RECEPTION. (Special to “Chronicle. TE KUITI, Oct. 25. When the Prime Minister arrived at Otorohanga on Saturday he was accorded a special welcome by the Maoris ■there, and, prior to Mr Coates* address, Mr Ormsby, speaking on behalf of the Maoris asked that several questions of interest to them should be given conr sideration. The question of rating, Mr Ormsby said, was a burning question with the natives. The basis of rating was most inequitable, and they asked that the Rating Act, so far ns it applied tn them, should bo repealed. Ho doubted whether more than one million of the sixty-six million acres of land in New Zealand now belonged to tho natives. As Native Minister, and Primo Minister, Air Coates was tho “father” of tho Maori people, who had genuine appreciation of him nnd a 'strong desire that ho should continue to hold the portfolio of Native Affairs. Tho natives wore pleased that a com* mission was to be set up to inquire int< certain questions affecting them. Air Coates said that the legislation Ins it stood at present, placed tho mat Iter in the hands of the Native Land I Board. “We expect the Maoris to bo* come useful citizens,” he continued. I Wo are very proud of our Afaori people, land we believe they are among the best I citizens in tho country. Wo realise they were hero before wc came, but we also realise that no one can prosper who docs not work, and work hard, and just as tho pakeha works so must the Maori. Tho unhappiest people in the world are those who do not work. Wo do not propose to give anyone a chance not to work. We propose to do all wo can to assist the Afaoris and help them to got along. Wo are not forcing them to pay rates tinless they individualise their holdings. We ask them, however, to individualise their land and get a title, and then money can bo advanced for developmental purposes. When you say that native land should not pay rates I don’t know that we are getting very fa? forward. Wo are only asking you to go to the Native Land Board and ask that Board to say whether you should pay rates nr not. I do not think anything could bo fairer. Tho question is not left now to tho pakeha to decide. Many natives now are accepting their responsibilities and it will pay them to do so. When you say that never again should native land pav rates there is likely to bo trouble. Remember, there is a lot of fooling developing in the other direction. I have, as Native Minister, to try to hold tho balance. It is a tradition of the British race that they al wavs try to bo fair to tho people they find in a country when they ararrive.” (Applause from the Maoris). Mr Coates said that after listening frequently over a considerable period to tho grievances of tho Alaoris, he decided that if ho wished to bo fair he had no alternative than to sot up the commission which ATr Ormsby had allowed to ho fair. Afr Coates said that a stock-taking was being made, and tho question of rating would bo carefully gone into.