RATING OF MAORI LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1723, 14 April 1913, Page 4

RATING OF MAORI LANDS.

1 SOME OP THE PROBLEMS. i (By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent-.) Wanganuij April 12. The question of having a satisfactory basis to work on so far ias tho rating of Native lands ia concerned has beeu.eu-' gaging a good -deal of attention lately, and representatives of county councils'flre likely to bo called together shortly at the invitation of tho Native Minister to dis- ' cuss the Native rating problepi. Mr. H. H. Richardson, clerk to tho Rangitikei County Council, has, on behalf of that body, forwarded a few suggestions, and has received a letter of thanks from the* Native Minister, with a statement that they will receive every consideration. Mr. Richanteon '.yuggcst;sii-{l) That the individualising of Native lands be carried out. as expeditiously as possible; (2) that individualised Native lands bo placed upon the samo footing as European Nativo lands in regard to rafjng; (8) that tho Valuation Department bo supplied with fullest information obtainable in regard to all Native lands, and that individualised lands be entered under their distinct heading upon the valuation roll; (•1) that some system be devised whereby the rates on all Native lands, other than individualised lands, may bo secured to tho local body in the same way that survey charges aro secured, and/without the need of any Court proceedings. Tho suggestion was offered by tho Rangitikei County Council some years ago, and has since been made by other countv councils, that no transaction in any Native land be approved by any Nativo Land Board, Land Court, or other authority dealing with Native lands, unless all rates have first been paid on such lands or secured on bolialf of tho local body. This is a very troublesome question. It may bo stated that it was brought before the Prime Minister at 1 Hawera when the case Svns mentioned of a farmer in the district who was holding 2000 acres, cultivating and grassing it, but not one penny by way of rates did the county set from it. In reply to the Prime Ministor it was stated that the man had no lease, and a suggestion was mado that a good way to meet the difficulty would 1)0 to make it punishable fori a man to pent land from Maoris without first con- i suiting the local authorities. The Prime Minister said that legislation : ivould be introduced < next--session, ami : that mailers would be placed on a much i more satisfactory basis. !