NATIVE RATING.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 15313, 14 August 1923, Page 6

NATIVE RATING.

WHERE COUNTIES SUFFER.

JSTEPS TO ALLEVIATE. One phase of the report of the conference delegate (Cr. C. M. Alexander) submitted to the Waipa County meeting yesterday dealt with native rating. Cr. Alexander said that a meeting of Council representatives at Tc Kuiti considered the above matter. In outlining the disabilities under which local bodies were working, it was shown that those interested were losing up to £BOOO in one case, and the hardships this occasioned in the case of hospital levies were pointed out. In the case of one northern county 40 per cent, of white population were responsible for hospital and other charges on GO per cent. Maori population. Another showed 00 per cent, white population carrying health charges on 40 per cent. Maori population, so that Waipa would be considered fortunate.

The conference at Wellington set up a committee from interested counties to wait on the Prime Minister and asked for some amendment of the Rating Act so that at least a portion of native rates might be made collectable.

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works had promised that some measure of relief would be given to local bodies, but not all that was sought, as it had to be remembered the Government had duties in protecting the native race and also the Treaty of Waitangi. Cr. Alexander was afraid that Waipa would not benefit to any* material extent, as most of their native areas were what was called “Papakianga” land. However, in certain cases the solicitor should be instructed to search titles with a view to enforcing payment of rates.