<Tf)is ottai4btan And Evening Star, with ulnili is in corporatcd the West Coast Times. FIJI DAY, OCTOKKI! Hi. IStl'n. THK KUYAUTES QFKSTfOX.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1925, Page 2

<Tf)i s ottai 4 btan And Evening Star, with ulnili is in corporatcd the West Coast Times. FIJI DAY, OCTOKKI! Hi. IStl'n. THK KUYAUTES QFKSTfOX.

J'hk timber royalties question was mist'd again nt tin- meeting oi the WcstItind Conmy Council on Wednesday. The Government lias toyed with the question now for over a decade, and have not ruecctled in .satisfying the. local bodies. At the outset a large portion of the revenue was taken in a peculiar u ay from the local bodies, and after a long period of agitation the Government passed legislation to give the local bodies one-tifth of the revenue eolleeted. This was over a year ago. tin although the financial year closed in March last, the amount accrued, small and all. as it is. is not paid over. Certainly the local bodies have a grievance, for it would appear either the Co; eminent or its department is playing fast, and loose v. ith the local bodies. Both in tht‘ North Island and the South Island, the local authorities are it fleeted. Inn the Department concerned continues to retain tin* money so lon r. overdue to the local bodies. The amount due to the Westland County Council was considered a very inadequate sum. and not at all in keeping "ith the forecast if Ministers, who -toted the local bodies would receive more in recompense than they thought •hr w'ttl.l loose bv the change over of the control of the timber 'royalties t ) the State Forest Service. The tigur. s given out at the County meeting caused much surprise, and it was resolved to make further inquiry. Although royalties are a considered source of revenue in the district, the information supplied and the detail- affecting same, are very meagre. The Council resolved to press for fuller particulars in regard to the in come to trace if possible if the full quota was being paid over. It appears that the legal aspect of certain payments i--till an unsolved problem, although the local tardy has definite legal opinion on the question, and the Government was advised bv a Royal Commission t-> settle the matter once and for all. It is not fair that this matter should linger so long in dispute. It is treating the local bodies very unfairly to withhold moneys which are in doubt for so long. The doubt should ho

settled definitely one way or the other, and all made to feel they were receiving a fair deal. At the County meeting. Mr Murdoch detailed what had been done in the recent session regarding the granting of timber cutting rights. lL would appear that the [lowers of the Warden are being curtailed unduly in order that a State Dopartm"nt may obtain privileges over and above the public. The dealing with applications in an open judicial way is to be removed to a star ehamber process. in which a Department is to have the dominant voice. This was brought about in what appears to be quite an

underhand way. and the local bodies will not be doing themselves justice unless they voice a protest and lay hare the full position. Tn respect to the timber revenue it. is most urgently needed for the upkeep of the roads, (loads whore timber traffic prevails are now subjected to heavy loading, and if the public traffic is to be provided for wlule timber transit is permitted, the revenue from the timber should be amide for the purpose. It is quite evident- that the tilths proposed to be paid are not adequate, and the ( mm- , il will do well to probe the matter for further informal ion.