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King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 339, 22 February 1911, Page 4

Readers of the "King Country Chronicle" will do drapers and storekeepers a good turn as well as themselves by always asking for the popular Roslyn all-wool clothing, blankets, flannels, rugs, tweeds, yarns, socks, stockings, jerseys, ladies' costumes and unshrinkable underwear "Delta" finish. Remember the best is the cheapest, hence we say "ask for Roslyn."*

That very difficult subject, the question of rating native lands, came up on Monday night at the Waitomo County Council meeting. It was evident frnm the general tone of the speakers that their main difference was one of method rather than aim. It was generally agreed that native lands, whether owned by individual natives and occupied by them, cr leased to other natives and worked by them, or merely locked up by natives and not worked by anybody, should bear their proporton of rates just as land owned or leased by Europeans has to do. Several cases were quoted where even pakeha settlers on native lands had not been put on the roll, and the chairman put his finger on the difficulty when he said that the County Clerk could not on his own authorityput the names of native owners on the roll. All he could do was to suggest them to the Valuation Department, which might, or might not, adopt the suggestion. The scandalous thing is that around us we have large numbers of well-to-do natives bearing no share of the general local taxation, but benefiting by every improvement in road communication that is carried out by our local bodies. The motion proposed was, in our opinion, a step in the right direction. It is time some public body took a test case under the new Act, and if, as the Native Minister says, it is now perroissable to sue, and as a last resort, attach the land upon which the rates are due, then there will be some hope of equal rights and responsibilities being established in the King Country. It will be interesting to see the reply the Native | Minister makes to the enquiry from i the Council.