MAIZE PRODUCTION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 85, 29 June 1943, Page 5

MAIZE PRODUCTION

QUESTION OF MAORI RATES

REPORT TO COUNTY

At the last meeting of the Whar katane. County Council the Clerk, Mr C. G. Lucas, reported that lie had attended the previous day, the Native Land Court at Rotorua with Mr A. O. Stewart. Figures were produced which showed that, maize production under the Government's maize production -.scheme had., except in 13 instances been produced at a loss. The Government was as'king that monies advanced, in anticipation of the crop he a first, charge on the. proceeds of the crop. The amount of rates owing on lands included in the maize production scheme amounted to about £970 ( , and although no figure was mentioned, Mr Dillon, Registrar . Maori . Land Board, suggested that the Council accept a token payment, the balance* of the. rates in arrear to be written off. ,

"Iu refusing a token payment," said Mr Lucas;, "I mentioned to Judge Harvey that were: the maize production scheme lands to receive special terms in regard to rate, payments, the whole present, satisfactory basis in which individual Natives were paying rates would, be jeopardised." Judge Harvey agreed and it was resolved to leave the matter of the payment of these rates in abeyance. Cr Hunter expressed the opinion that the Native Department was it'sjtll" to blame' for the present un'satisfactory nature of the industry. Cr McCready said that he had many times previously stated that the maize crop in this district was all eaten up by its own costs and until this was taken into consideration in fixing the selling price it would never be profitable.