RATING NATIVE LANDS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1893, 30 October 1913, Page 4

RATING NATIVE LANDS.

THE NEW BILL. The Rating Amendment Bill introduced into tho House o£ Representatives last; night by the Hon. W. H. Herrics, mainly affects tho collection of rates on Native lands. There oro a few clauses dealing with rating on lands owned by Europeans, hilt they make only machinery amendments in tho law. No chnngo of pojicy is contemplated in tho policy of rating European lands. Tho Bill attempts to get over tho difficulties now met with in tho collection of rates on Nativo lands, which difficulties are at present so serious that tho general rule is that Nativo lands pay no rates at- all. In tho caiM of lands held in common in respect of which nominated owners' names-nro inserted in tho valuation roll, it is provided that judgment for unpaid rates obtained against tho nominated owner or owners may bo enforced against tho aotual owners. Further, if rates levied in respect of any area of Nativo laaid remain in arrcar and unpaid for a period exceeding six months, tho local authority to whom tho rates are duo may register a lien for tho amount of tho unpaid rates against the land. Also it is provided that no alienation or other disposition shall lie mado of' Native land which is subject to a charge- or lien until tho registration of such clmrgo or lion has been duly cancelled. Native freehold land held in severalty, it is proposed, shall he deemed for the purposes of the Rating Act to bn European land, arid also any owner in sovenilty who has paid his rates limy apply In the Native Land Court for a partition of Ilia interest from the remainder of tho said land, and on such partition any charge registered against, tlie whole area -shall bo deemed to be discharged insofar as it affects his interest,