THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2071, 4 May 1907, Page 1

THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN.

PAY ING KOI! HOADS THE MAOH USES. THE ACTING-PREMIER. ON DAN I HATING. A series of resolutions passed at Taranaki local bodies conference relic five lo native land rating and kindred matters (says the Evening Host! was brought before the Acting-Pre-mier on April 25 by a deputation consisting of Messrs Jennings, Symes. AI.M.H's., J. AY. Foreman (chairman Clifton County Council). J. Brown (chairman Taranaki County Council). J H. Burgess (chairman Egmont County Council), and AI ills (clerk Parihaka Hoad Board). Those resolutions were as follows: “That the law in regard to the rating of native lands is unsatisfactory, inasmuch as the clauses provided for the recovery of outstanding rates are cumbrous and unworkable. In our opinion the time has arrived when the Maoris should contribute towards the cost of the roads in their respective districts, as it is a grave injustice that the European settler is-com-pelled to hear the whole of such cost. If, in the opinion of the Government, it is considered undesirable to confer on local bodies the same powers (without reservations) to recover rates due on lands occupied bv natives as exist in the case of Europeans, we ask that the Native Lands Hating Act, 1901, be amended so as to render: “(1) The Public Trustee liable for all rates on land in the occupation of the natives that he is administering in his capacity as trustee, and on all lands similarly occupied that are vested in him under the AYest Coast Settlements Reserves Act, 1805. “(2) On all other native lands that are rateable under the Native Lands Rating Act, 1001, upon default of the native occupier to comply with the demand of the local body for the payment of rates duly levied, the Native Minister shall pay such outstanding rates upon such conditions as to repayment by native occupier as he may deem fit. “That the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that the valuation rolls do not disclose the correct names of natives who are in actual occupation of native lands, and that the Government be as J ked to take steps to have the rolls made up correctly, as local bodies cannot under present circumstances collect rates from lands that are properly rateable. “That pow or should be given noxious weeds inspectors to employ labor to deal with weeds on native lands.

the cost to lie a charge against'tile land. That power should also be given the inspectors to employ casual help for inspection during the four or five busy months. That the inspector in charge should not bo required to obtain authority from the head of his department before prosecuting for any breaches of the Act, but should be empowered to do so at-his own discretion.” After the various points had been .enlarged upon by the deputation, the Acting-Premier leplied. The native land rating and noxious weeds questions were of importance, and he believed the Native Land Commission v#as approaching the stage when it •would deal with both matters. Tt was very certain they could not goon allowing noxious weeds to grow and spread over native land brother lands or allow native lands to escape without paying something towards the upkeep of roads. It all came back to the fact that the Maori did not adapt himself to '.European methods in regard to work. He would not lay himself out for plodding. The Maoris in many cases drew their money from rents, and spent it in what they considered a “jolly good time,” for which they had to suffer afterwards. The sooner the Maoris were educated to the same style of working and living as the Europeans the better for them. The speaker had already done what lie could in this direction, and in works under his control a number

of Maoris had been employed. Some of them had done very well once they got used to the work, and had turned out decent, steady men, though in some cases their “bit of a spree” was a little more frequent perhaps than the European’s. He found these men

did not drift hack to the old style of living so much, hut were anxious to get more work. To Ante College, no doubt, did good work, hut with the average native lie had to be trained to the ordinary industrial occupations of tlio Europeans, or lie would continue to bang about the villages while the land becomes overrun with noxious weeds. The noxious weed question .would have to he dealt with promptly, and if. there was no power to make .the natives do ' the work, it would have to bo done by the Government, and the cost borne by the land and not by the general taxpayer. As to tho rates on native lands, he asked was it fair that the local body and Europeans should be made to suffer because the Maoris would not payH Tills reading question was one be bad given a great deal of attention to, and ' be realised the . disadvantage to the country of having roads running alongside miles of native lands which paid nothing at all. If the Government gave a grant the tax came upon the ratepayers as a whole. Mr. Foreman suggested that if the natives were to continue to escape rates, 'then the Government should pay so that the burden would fall upon the whole community, and not upon the local community, as now.

The Acting-Premier: I should say that the native lands have got to hoar their share of the cost. (Hoar, hear.) If, ho continued, the rates were not immediately recoverable, they ivoulfl have to consider the question of amending the law, or else the State should meet the obligation, which would always be a charge upon that land. He hoped these matters would be the subject of recommendations by the commission now sitting. “We are determined that this has got to he brought to an end. and the land made reproductive. and made to bear its burden of the cost.” In regard to the valuation rolls, he would endeavor to see that ilia t.tor given early attention.