NATIVE RATES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 287, 26 March 1941, Page 5

NATIVE RATES

GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED COMMENTS OF COUNTY CHAIRMAN Appreciation of the great assistance Judge Harvey, of the Native Land .Court, had been to the council in the collection of native rates was expressed by Mr J. L. Burnett, Chairman of the Whakatane County Council, at yesterday's meeting. -

"We appreciate Judge Harvey's co-operation and assistance, in' regard to the collection of the rates," he said, "without which we would not have obtained the sum now in hand." He added that Mr Stewart (Native rate collector) and Mr C. G. Lucas (County Clerk) had visited Rotorua recently and attended a conference regarding the collection of native rates. "The natives are gradually becoming educated to a sense of responsibility in meeting their obligations and the increased rates received will be a benefit to the Maoris as well as to the Europeans." Mr Burnett added that tlr? natives would rightly look to the council for improvement to roads and such work would have to be considered. _ The chairman also paid tribute to the satisfactory work of Mr SteWr art in collecting lates. Primary Production. The chairman continued to refer to a plan for increased primary production by natives, prepared by Mr A, O. Stewart and presented to a conference of the Maori Primary Production Council held at Rotorua. The suggestions of Mr Stewart had been the only ones adopted as a practical plan and he was complimented by the official. 5 * from Wellington. "Mr Stewart is to be congratulated," said Mr Burnett, "his plan will be beneficial to ,the Maoris and also to us"

considered.