KING COUNTRY NEEDS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 276, 13 July 1910, Page 2

KING COUNTRY NEEDS.

Loeai Bodies m Co«nci|. CONFERENCE AT -TAUMARUNUI Perhaps the most important and historie gathering gt Representative public men ever held .in the Country took place at Taumarunui ysesterday, when a conference of local bodies, was held for the purpose of poming Jp some conclusions on the *aoßt r pressing needg gf this great

district. Amongst those present were the following:—Messrs James Boddie (Te Kuiti Borough Council); F. H. Sims and F. B. Darrow (Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce); A. Scholes (Waitomo County Council); G. C. Stevenson and A.. McKinnon (Ohura County Council); T. Hunt and W. Saundison (Ohura Railway League); S. Meredith (Ohura branch of N.Z. F„U.); J. Cody (Ohakune Chamber of Commerce); W. Baird and A. Wilkie (Ohakune Town Boasd); C. J. Ryan (Northern Ohura Settlers' Association) J. E. Ward, N. A. Winter .and T. McKean (Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce); G. H. Thompson and C. Dunston (Taumarunui Town Council); W. G. Shaw and J. E. Noonan (Kawhia County Council); McKay (Opo ku); D. Scott and J. McLeod (Hunui Settlers' Association); and M. C. Lawson (Kaitieke Settlers' Association). Mr W. T. Jennings, MP. for the district, was also present. Mr Winter, on behalf of the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the gathering, which was one of the most important in the history of the King Country, and proposed Mr Thompson be chairman. This was seconded by Mr McKean and carried. Mr Thompson then took the chair. The chairman extended a wolcomu to Mr Jennings for his presence there that day. Mr Jennings said he was pleased to be amongst them and to meet such a representative gathering from all parts of his electorate. Native matters were of the greatest importance and the Government had decided to introduce a Bill dealing with Native townships this session and also with the rating of Native lands, which ha believed would be satisfactory to all concerned. He was not at liberty to say what the Bill contained at the moment, but he thought it would satisfy any reasonable man. This would be a historic gathering for the King Country, and he believed the resolutions passed would be based on justice, equity and goodwill. Mr Wiriter was then elected secretary of the conference. Rating of Native Lands. —Mr Boddie moved "That in the opinion of this conference the time has arrived when the question of rating Native lands can no longer be delayed, and that a united and determined effort] be made to bring pressure to bear upon the Government to pasi legislation, during the present session of Parliament, of such a nature as will give justice to European ratepayers without effecting any injustice to the Natives." Speaking to the motion, Mr Boddie said the problem was of a difficult nature and it was necesary to deal with it from a broad standpoint. Whilst saying this he felt that serious hardships were being inflicted on many of our country settlers. Eighteen months ago the Native Minister gave a definite promise of legislation in the then coming session. Whether that promise had been kept he left it for the conference to judge. There was no question whatever that land in Native townships should be made liable for rates. Land which was not worth £5 an acre a few years ago in Te Kuiti was now valued at £IOO to £l5O for the goodwill of the lease, brought about by the settlement and enterprise of the European community. As for rural lands, only those in close touch with the struggles of local bodies appreciated the difficulties. There was machinery on the Statute Book whereby they ought 1o be able to rate Native lands, but it was dead letter. The permission of the Nativa Minister had to be obtained to put it in operation and that was never given.

Mr Shaw seconded the motion and , many.. Europeans' land was reached they had to road Native lands. ' The Natives were willing to bear a fair share of taxation. The new Hospital Bill made rates collectable on Native lands, and as nothing could be collected the pakehas had to pay double. Mr McKean proposed an amendment, adding the words "That in the event of the Government passing legislation providing for the rating of Native lands, it should be provided that such rates be liable to be collected by the qrdinary- process of law, and not be subject to the consent of thp Native Minister."

Aftpr discussion the amendment wag withdrawn and after speeches by Messrs Ward, Cody, McKean, Stevenson, McKinnon, Scholes, Ryan, Sims and Thompson, Mr Boddie said that if Native lands were excluded from the Hospital Board area, it would not help local bodies, as they had to raise a certain sum. They should insist on Native lands being rated. The Rating Act made a provision that beyond a certain porportion of Native lands they could not raise a special loan for metalling, which was another reason for a reform. Mr Jennings supported the motion very heartily. It went in the direction he had been working this last five yean. Mr McNab who toured the district with him said that Southern people would not stand it for twelve moßths. He asjced the conference if it knew how many apres out of tlio§6 iji tliat district vyere l?eld fcy Maoris to-djay. Prapticajly s>e - wMI O of thp Taumgruftui electorate contained 578,277 acres of prown and of which 260,124 were Crown and §lB,153 Native. Of Crown areas 139,080 acres were leased; 21,780 were forest reserves; 40§0 education reserves; 11,000 river trust and 84,234 aprgs unencumbered. Of Native areas 219,450 were leased, 6097 were in the hands of Maori board, 45,371 were occupied by Maoris and 57,235 were unencumbered. There was a grave fpjsapprehenison in the minds of many people. It was not Maori lands but Crown lands, that needed to be forced open, particularly in th£ Waimarino. The King Country had been for many years land that was taboo—no white insiij dare pjjt foot in it. The railway now rain through it sjid ip was a land for the white man, arid the Maopri was pushed further back. They must be lust and deal rightly with the Maori. We was gatisffied they would have satisfactory legislation jp the coming session.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Scholes moved: "That in the opinion of this conference the present naethodg of pealing with the questions of roads, and ' bridges jp tfie King Country is most unsatisfactory and 'ft strongly recommends —(a) that in the interests of settlement, the roading

and bridging of the district should be proceeded with now and more rapidly; (b) that as soon as grants are voted by Parliament they should be spent, either by the Road Department or by the local bodies; and if by the latter a 'freer' hand should be given, and a reasonable amount, say 5 per cent., be allowed for clerical and other expenses." Mr Scholes said they all recognised the importance of the motion. The demand was so great that they had to keep on building bridges and making roads every y«ar and the delay before grants were authorised for expenditure was a very serious one. Mr Stevenson seconded the motion and aaid that unless some proportion of the Government grants was voted to the Counties for clerical and other expenses the scheme for making the Counties responsible for the making of roads would break down, and he would be very sorry to see that.

Mr Ward said the rpads in the greater part of the King Country were in a most disgraceful state. The chairman also said the roads were a disgrace. The amalgamation of the roads and bridges departments was a mistake. Not, perhaps, in older Counties, wfiere they had all their roads and bridges made, but in young Counties such as Ohura they suffered and it was almost impossible for them to finance.

Mr Shaw said it was a burning questoin with the Kawhia County Council. It had refused to take over the grants and asked the Government to spend the money themelves. They had never had a subsidy for forming or metalling their roads, although they had repeatedly asked for them. Messrs McKinnon, McKean, Noonan, Boddie and Wilkie spoke in similar terms.

Mr Jennings said this was the most important question on the agenda paper, so far as the Taumarunui electorate was concerned, and a most difficult one to deal with. There were large tracts of papa land and uphill country, with A scarcity of metal. Hence a greater reason for the Government assisting in far greater degree in new Counties like Ohura, Kawhia and .Waitomo. He had brought the question of the abolition of the Roads Department before the Premier in Te Kuiti, and hoped some notice would be taken of it, and ho had protested in the House against its abolition. He was with them to the fullest extent in the metalling of roads. He .protested against the delay in doing road work. On one road authorised four months ago not a pick or shovel had been put in. If the Minister was to blame, he would vote against him, and if an official he would have to go. He did not care whether he went back to Parliament or not, bflt he did want the settlers to be relieved from their difficulties. In 1909-10 £85,731 had been spent in the electorate. Had the £250,000 a year been spent everybody would have been satisfied. He had protested against the deduction of administration expenses from roai votes. It should come out of other funds.

Mr Stevenson said that £25,000 or £26,000 was appropriated for the Ohura and £21,000 was said to have been expended in the County from March, 1909. Every-Councillor questioned where the money went, but it was charged against the County in the books.

Messrs Winter and Boddie also spoke, and the motion was then carried unanimously. Stratford-Ongarue Railway. —Mr Ryan move 3, 'That the Government be strongly urged to place a sum upon the Estijnateg for the purpose of commencing the constjuctiou-of the Onga-*\ie-Sfrafcford railway from the Ongarue end, during the present session." Mr Ryan said that part of the fault that the railway had not been started from the Ongarue end lay with the business men of Auckland, who did not seem to consider the pioneer work being done in the back-blocks. Some 250 or 260 tons of goods a month came into the Ohura from the railway. Three were 200,000 sheep in the district to-day, and fully 50,000 sheep had come in in a recent three months Three or four sawmills in the district had been hung up because of the difficulty of getting timber away. He loqked . for morp energy on the part of Auckland commercial men if the line was to makp headway.

Mr Hunt, in seconding the motion, said land had been taken ijp years ago in the hope of the line being started from day to day. There was no question of the line paying when built. Every mile o.f line constructed in the Ohura woyld be of value to them. The cost of carting was very great owing to the lack of metal. The ifne was of national importance. It was the duty of the Government to start construction at the Ongarue end and fulfil the promises made over and over again, not as a favour, but as a right. Messrs Ward, Boddie and Winter spoke in support, saying the feeling in the King Country was unanimous and there was no jealousy in the matter.

Mr Jennings had supported the start srom £he d}ngaru6 end for 20 yeap?, an<| cpt)|d rjol: see reason fqr the (Jelay. ling had been authorised from Stratford to Ongarue. That was npw beyond question, and it was only right that q start should be made at this end. If settlers had to wait tintii the lino was through the jangarqkau Gorge, nearly 12 wiles long and incapable of aettlenvint, then it would be years before it reached them. Why should settlers on Crown lands have to wait? The line was within one and a-half miles of Whangamomona. The conference was a help to him. If he failed it would not be for want of agitation. Messrs Punster and Saunderson also spoke. ' The motion was carried unanimously. Freehold in Native Townships.—Mr Sims moved, "That in view of the fact ajl improvements to Native townships has Ijeer) will continue to be effected by the lessees, thereby enhancing the value of the Natives' interests, without any contribution on their papfij, Government be urged to pass legislation to enable t};e Native Land Boards .to grant the right of purchase at a fair valuation to lessees," and said that the interests involved in Te jKuiti, Taumarunui and Otorohanga were .vepv jarge indeed. He had been in the King Country for many and had followed the Land Acts

■closely. Each succeeding one had been worse than its predecessor. Previous to the formation of the township in Te Kuiti the land had been offered to the Government at £8 an acre and since that time it had increased tremendously in value. The trouble would come when a fair valuation was to be got at. He held that the unearned increment should belong to those who created it—the European settlers in the township. Mr Ounster seconded, and felt the difficulties in arriving at a fair valuation. In the short time he had been in Taumaruuni land had increased in value from £1 to £lO per foot on the main street, and this was going on all the time. The trouble in Taumarunui was that the land had never been individuali led. At present £6OOO waß lying in the hands of the Maori Land Board and £IOOO a year was going out of the place to be locked up. If the lands were individualised the Natives could sell their leases. The chairman Baid that from the outstart he had been trying to induce the Native Minister to alter die tenure of the township. He was told by Mr Jennings that a Bill was being prer pared, but in view of paßt promises he would be glad to see it when it came. Mr Carroll had asked "Would you sell these lands if you had them?" All he could say was, no pakeha would enter into such a rotten arrangement as existed there. In Taumarunui they had proved ownerships of 189 Natives. If they divided the annual amount going to the Native Land Board, it was only £5 a year each. It would be far better to individualise the lands and allow them to sell and get out. The difficulty of getting money on leases was another aspect. He ktlew 8 per cent, to 10 per cent, was the rate of interest. It blocked the progress of the town. They had a Native township in which they were unable to borrow money. It prevented progress from a European point of view and it was no good from the Native point of view. He asked their assistance in altering the present tenure.

Mr Ward did not see how Natives could grant the freehold unlesa the land was individualised, so that a known piece of land could be bought from a known Native. It must be obtained in a proper, legal, equitable manner.

Mr Darrow, speaking as a business man in Te Kuiti, could express their feeling on the subject. They were in an unfortunate position there—more unfortunate than Taumarunui. Th« blunder made by the Government fras in not acquiring the freehold at the right time. People come into the town and paid a freehold price for leasehold land. The amount of rental paid by Green and Colebrook was £l9 10s a year. The frqehold site would cost £2OOO to-day. What were they going to pay at the end of 21 years? He thought Te Kuiti people would be inclined to go on and on, hoping for something to turn up. Mr Ryan said that if in 21 years a fair and just rata was not struck, no doubt arbitration would settle the matter.

Mr McKean, as knowing the feeling in Taumarunui, was amazed at the turn some speeches had taken. Justice to Natives! What about justice to pakehas? Mr T. E. Taylor had said the Maoris of the King Country were exploiting the white man. We had valuable leases meanwhile, but in 21 years it went back, and the Maoris scooped the lot. All the white men would have would be. the actual value of the improvements, and the goodwill would go to the Maoris. Why more tenderness for Maoris than English or Scotch landlords he could not understand.

Mr Simmonds spoke as one of the oldest leaseholders in Taumarunui When the leases were first sold most people were in the position that if they did not get a lease they got nothing, and had no money to spend on freehold. They were then cheap and easy to get. No doubt many sections to-day had been leased at freehold prices, and if offered at freehold would not be bought. Justice should be done to both races. He thought the matter would be adjusted equitably. Mr Boddie quite expected diversity of opinion. They should not look at the question from a narrow point qj view! The great qqestion wqs, hpw i«| the present tenure going to affect the advancement of things and local gov* ernment in those townships? He -quoted figures of tho growth of Eltham where £48,000 had been borrowed for public works. Suppose thoy in Tau tnarunui had to expend £50,000 in ton years tifae, They built up the value of a property that was not contributing one cent to the coffers of the community. So they were paying all that money out of their pockets and . were building up a huge estate for the Natives and were saddled with a huge debt. The' present status would not do in these communities. No injustice would be done to Natives in so far as they have not contributed anything. Two alternatives existed First, the Government might buy the freehold of the whole township. That was imposible to day, owing to the complicated jeases and mortgages. That put £l}e Government out of courtj The potion provided for full valuation of Natives' interests. Whether the interests were individual or pot they could not deal with them direct. The Native L,and Board acted for them. It would immediately give a value to tho title of leases which they hud not and could not have uiider existing circum* stances. If the resolution was carried it would be one of the biggest things for those communities that ever happened.

Mr Jennings said that the diversity of opinion showed the difficulties of the position. If these townships had been secured for educational reserves eight or nlnfe years' ago what a magpificenj; asset they would have been? In Grey : mouth they had Maori leases in tho township and a largely signed petition from commercial men proved the position was not satisfactory. The very fact of a similar position existing oi{ qll fours with (heirs in the Kin# Country, secured Southern members attention. He did not knqw what direction comiiig legislation wo\i|q take. No one evpr anticipated rapid strides made by Tc Kuiti or Taumarunui, where leased sections have been sold at fabulous prices. The crq)!; oj! the question woulcj be, "Vyha| i? fair'valuation, if the freehold is gi^

en?" A Bill was to be brought in that session which would go in the direction of satisfying legitimate aspirations of those affected. The motion was carried unanimously Stationmaster at Ongaruo.—Mr S. Meredith referred to the fact that this was a tablet station through which 260 ton of goods passed to the Ohura during six months of the year. Fencing wire and other goods and produce constantly being tampered with stolen. Sauncjison seconded and Messrs Ryan and Hunt also spoke. Mr Jennings said one of the dangers of a democratic people was officialism and centralisation, and some men, in the saddle for many years, did not look at the questions as we would do. He believed they would have a very good chance of getting ,this improvement effected. Ohakune Railway Service. Mr Wilkie moved, "That in view of the fact that the settlers between Ohakune and Taumarunui cannot reach the latter township until 8.15 p.m. according to the present railway time-table, it be a recommendation from this conference, to the Minister of Railways, in order to give settlers a better Northern railway service, that an additional Northern train leave Ohakune each morning, in order, if possible, to connect with the North train leaving Taumarunui at 8 a.m." Messrs Cody, Baird, Ward, Dunster and Simmonds also spoke. Mr Jennings supported the motion, which was carried unanimously. Frankton Goods Train. —Mr Darrow moved, "That the Minister for Railways be again srtongly urged to have a passenger carriage attached to the goods train leaving Frankton in the morning and returning in the evening from Taumarunui, and said that the goods train left Frankton Junction about 7 a.m. and reached Te Kuiti at 10.30 a.m. and Taumarunui at 2.30 p.m. It would be a gr°.at convenience in enabling passengers between the big stations to catch the express. The expense would be small and the benefits great. Mr Boddie seconded. They were not asking for an additional train. Anyone coming from smaller stations North of Te Kuiti could not. reach Te Kaiti until 4 in the afternoon. Farmers, settlers and others had repeatedly pressed this on them. There was no danger of trenching on the ground of Taumarunui. Mr Ward said that from a humanitarian point of view, in saving long waits on railways, it was necessary. Air Stevenson, on behalf of the Ohura, said it would enable them to leave the Ohura and travel to Ongarue, do business at Te Kuiti, and return the same day. If they had this service, they could go to Te Kuiti stock sales, stay the night and return next day.

Mr Hunt said the train at present did not enable one to reach Ohaupo before noon. With this alteration they would" get to Te Kuiti at night, catch the early train to Ohaupo and be in time for the sale. Mr Jennings suggested if they offered to pay for a carriage it would establish in the railway mind the fact that it would pay, and they would get the thing on the way. Motion carried unanimously. & Main Arterial Roads. —Mr Boddie moved, "That this conference is strongly of opinion that the proposed new Local Government Bill should contain a clause that all main arterial roads in new districts should be maintained. out of the consolidated revenue." He quoted the example of the main road from Taranaki to Waikato, which passes through Te Kuiti. A number of settlers rated themselves to metal a portion of this road to enable them to reach the cemetery. Every leading thoroughfare should be made and maintained out of the consolidated revenue. The resolution would be an indication to the Government of what settlers think on this matter. Mr Stevenson seconded, and thought perhaps Mr. Jennings would give them an indication that this would be inserted. Mr Jennings said he could not say what the Bill would contain. Messrs Stevenson, Saundison, Noonan, Ward, Wilkie and Jennings spoke on the motipn, which wa? carried unanimously. I£r McKipnon moved that the Government be . asked to devise some scheme for doing road works in summer, but after discussion it was withdrawn.

Ongarue Bridge.—Mr Stevenson introduced a motion with respect to this bridge, but after an explanation of the Government's intentions by Mr Jennings, the motion was withdrawn. Quicker Settlement.—Messrs McKean and Shaw moved, "That in consideration of the vast areas of Crown and Native land in the King Country special efforts should be made to deal with the question with a view to securing settlement; that the Government be urged to allocate at least 33 per cent, of £500,000 per annum voted for the purchase of Native land to the King Country:" The motion was carried unanimously. pelegates. —Mr McfCean moved thaf Relegates be fippoipted to procegd tp Wellington to push home the resolutions of the conference; the expenses to be met by the local bodies represented, the following to be the gates: —Messrs Ryan, Ohura; Boddie, TeKuiti; gcholes, Wfiitomo; Winter, Taumarunui; Hunt, Northern Ohura; Thompson, Taumaranui. —Carried unpaimously. Messrs Ward snd Wilkie moved that all matters dealt with that day be taken in hand by the deputation. Carried unanimously. Registration Areas and Land Boards. —Mr Jennings spoke on the necessity for alteration in the boundaries and said settlers should be better represented on the Land Boards. ' of thank 3 to Mr Jennings, the chairman, the president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr Winter), the Jadies for providing afternoon tea, and the press, brought the conference to p clos£» In the evening a banquet, tendered Jay the Taumarunui Chamber of C'om r merce, "was given to the visiting delegates and the press, at which the usual loyal and'toeal toasts, interspersed by spngs and recitations, were heartily jj'runk. The conference worked smoothly and satisfactorily, a tribute tp the capable arrangements made by the Easiness people of Taijtnaruniji.