THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1909 RATING NATIVE LANDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 153, 6 May 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1909 RATING NATIVE LANDS.

THE conference of local bodies to be held on Wednesday next at Auckland for the purpose of discussing the position with regard to the collection of rates on Native lands, will be followed with keen interest throughout the Auckland .Province. That the matter has been left so long in its present unsatisfactory position is in keeping with other phases of the Native land question and credit is due to the members of the Raglan County Council for taking the initiative and attempting to frame a remedy. Practically every County Council in the Province is affected by the question, and none more so than the Waitomo Council, and there is nothing strange in the fact that the local bodies have responded readily to the invitation of the Raglan County. The proposals outlined in the circular of the Raglan Council obviously afford the necessary remedy to the present state of affairs. At the same time it has to be remembered that the remedy has been in the hands of the Native Minister for years. The necessary machinery for the collection of rates was provided by Parliament, the power to enforce the law being left finally Minister. Ministerial sanction for the collection of rates has been religiously withheld, and we have the experience of a law passed by Parliament being rendered inoperative at the will of an individual Minister. Ministerial action, or inaction, in this instance, may have been controlled by the fact that the accepted idea in the past has been that Native lands should not be rated because of the restrictions placed upon them by Government. In which case the whole process of legislative action is reduced to the farcical. The point at issue is so closely interwoven with the whole question of Native land administration that it is impossible to disassociate it from the larger issue. Moreover, considering that the members of the conference will be thoroughly conversant with the general aspect of the greater question, there is little doubt that the discussion will open up the whole subject. The arguments in favour of Native lands being made rateable are incontrovertible,and little time need be spent upon stating a case. Parliament has already affirmed the principle by placing the necessary legislation on the Statute Book,but has seen fit to leave the power of veto in the hands of the Native' Minister. That such power should be removed, in the interests of the community in general, is undeniable. But that such power should be removed, without further remedial action being applied to the Native land administration in general, is a question which is open to discussion. We have consistently contended, and again advance the contention, that the question is capable of solution by the intelligent and sympathetic administration of the legislation at present in force. Free the capable Maoris from restrictions; utilise the Maori Land Boards for the legitimate purpose of administering the lands of the Maoris deemed incompetent, and there will be no excuse for the power of veto continuing to exist. The subject is of supreme importance to the country in general,and of equal significance to Maori and European. The fact that widespread interest is being taken in the conference is a significant indication that men thoroughly acquainted with the Native question, and whose interests are affected thereby, intend making an earnest attempt to place matters on an equitable basis. The recommendations of the conference will be awaited with interest, and we trust that every effort will be made to carry them into effect