The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9. 1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 9. 1928.

THE TIMBER ROYALTIES ISSUE. Tiik ratepayers of Westland County can afford to take a good deal of personal interest in the timber royalties issue, which the County Council is still keeping prominently before the Government. it will be recalled that when the Commissioner of State Forests was here lately. Mr Seddon as member for the district, introduced a County deputation urging Government attention to the local bodies’ claim in this matter. As an outcome of that meeting the Minister asked for the points submitted by the County Chairman (Mr Murdoch) to be reduced to writing. This has been done, and the memorandum has been forwarded though Mr Seddon. who has taken a close interest in the matter over several years, to the Hon Minister. The Westland County Council and the ratepayers generally are again indebted very greatly for Mr Murdoch's help in the matter. Combining his professional and local knowledge of the position without any posf. to the local bodieq, he has been

able to produce a statement- of claim which sets out the case for the local, bodies of the Coast very clearly. The issue has been a vexed one, and despite the fact that the Government had the benefit of tbc advice of a Royal Commission on the matter, lias failed to give Satisfaction to those primarily concerned—the local bodies lacking the revenue collected but not accounted for. When the Timber and Flax Royalties Act was passed by the late Mr Seddon in 1905, it was made - very clear that it was the policy of the Government to provide more adequately for the local bodies. Air Seddon no doubt recognised that those chiefly affected had been deprived of Crown Lands rating, and sought to make good the hr giving the local bodies “halves” from the royalties. In that day Air Massey was in opposition, and in the more generous mood due. to his irresponsibility at the time, it is on record in Hansard when debating the Bill, that instead of giving “halves” as provided, he was in favour of giving the local bodies the whole of the royalties! In later years when AH Massey had full control of the matter lie was not so generous and all through his regime the local bodies plied /the Government for (adequate consideration under the law. The local bodies were only partly successful. The best Afr Massey could do for the applicants was to give partial payments, but never a clear statement of what was actually due. It is apparent now that a largo sum is still with-held from the loea! bodies. Air Ahirdoeh' statement sets out four headings under which the-claim should he reviewed. In the course of the very dear statement made under each heading, AH Alurdoch points out (I) an apparently heavy leakage of royalties between 1900 and 1913, due to a misunderstanding on tile part of the authorities in the effect of the amending legislation. This was cleared up only in part by the payments authorised by Afr AFassey as ,a. measure of recognition, but if anything was due to the local bodies, surely in equity the whole was due. In all, three payments were made the ‘Westland County Council, but it was never clear whether the whole was paid, nor was any statement supplied under which it was possible to review or check those payments which were given as an act of grace, though really they should have been given under the legal covenant, and have been supported by a dear statement of the figures involved**in detail. In regard to the second count, affecting halves of territorial revenue, the Council now derives only fifths, and the County Chairman points out that it would appear the loss of revenue under this heading amounts to unfair, if not illegal, confiscation. The third count is the important one affecting goldfields revenue, and is specially of importance because of the effect of revenue from mining reserves. The revenue from that source was explicitly for the benefit of Iho local body, yet again conliscating steps were taken and are enforced to with-lmhl unfairly in the view of ll, ic local body a considerable proportion of the accruing .revenue. In the fourth count there is the question involved of the local body share of the revenue"!' timber cut from State Forests. It is believed there is a considerable sum involved Under this heading. The four counts therefore rover channels through which a very considerable sum in the aggregate should a.'erne to the Council. Jt would appear from the analysis of the revonue for the past two ycrtrs by the County Clerk that in the .jugglery with the revenue the local body is not reteiviug all that. it should. Obviously the Council should lie in receipt of all that it is entitled to. The clear .statement Mr Murdoch has put forward will no doubt be examined Iron) every point of view, but it is hoped the Government will not attempt to escape any legal obligations in the matter. The claim is fairly stated and calls for a plain and frank answer on the points raised, and at least :t detailed statement, as to the gross revenue received, and the amount credited to the local bodies.