RATES ON NATIVE LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1690, 5 March 1913, Page 8

RATES ON NATIVE LANDS.

STATEMENT BX MR. HERRIES. (By Telcsraph —Press Association.) Glsborne, March 4. In reply to deputations urging that Natives should be placed on the same footing as Europeans in regard to rates, the Hon. W. H. Herries said the task of rating Native land seemed to be superhuman, but he had asked the local bodies to' make some suggestions. By getting suggestions from everyone, they might evolve something that would meet the difficulty. The difficulty aroso in the communist system of holding lands. It seomed to him that their efforts should be devoted to trying to individualise the titles, and then tho rating difficulty would disappear. The thing bristled with difficulties, but if it could he Solved he would try to do it. He would call a meeting of representatives of county councils, who would deal with the matter, aiid especially would clerks Ik> welcome, because they had generally tried all the different Acts, and they,could give valuable suggestions. Ho believed somotliing could be done, and ho 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: lou agrco the Natives should pay rates? The Minister: xes>. He added if they worked 011 communal titlo it was rather rough on the Native who worked his section and paid rates while tho others got

Mr. Herries will remain in Gisborne district until Thursday, when he leaves for Auckland via coast bays.