King Country Chronicle Saturday, January 30th, 1915. NATIVE RATES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 741, 30 January 1915, Page 5

King Country Chronicle Saturday, January 30th, 1915. NATIVE RATES.

The question of rating native lands is so far-reaching that points requiring attention are continually cropping up. Needless to remark; the infliction is always on the European settlers who are anxious for progress, and the difficulty of inspiring the authorities to action frequently constitutes a further hardship to the settlers. When provision was made for registering against the titles of native owners the amounts from time to time accruing for rates on native blocks, it appeared as though a solution of the difficulty had been arrived at. Native land was being rapidly dealt with, and there appeared to be every likelihood that in the course of a few years the accrued rates would be liquidated. The position in respect to special rates levied to meet interest and sinking fund on loans which have been raised to provide metalled roada is causing concern to the local bodies. As time goes on the uncollected special rates on native land increase to a formidable figure, and as the amount necessary to meet the interest has to be raised the settlers are obliged to bear their own burden and that of the native owners as well. The possibility of registering the amount of rates againßt the native title reads much better than it works out in actual experience. When the

local authority has taken the necessary steps to register the amount and approaches the Native Land Court for the purpose it will probably be found there is no title to register against, the block not having been dealt with by the Court. A judgment for the amount against the nominated owner is of little use unless it can be enforced. The process of having the land dealt with by the Court, and a title issuad i 0 too costly for the local body to undertake, and a deadlock ensues. M*eanWhile the interest on the loan has to be met, and the European settlers have to find it. The work accomplished by the loan money baß placed a considerably higher value on the native land, and it is only reasonable that the native portion of the rates should be found. Advantage is being taken of the visit of the Native Minister to Kawa on Tuesday to place the whole position before him. The suggestion has been made that the special rates should be paid by the Government and liens placed on the

blocks in the same manner as survey r liens are dealt with. The matter is of extreme importance in the Waitomo County, Where native land exists in practically every special rating area which has been established. It is to be hoped this and other questions affecting the welfare

of the settlers will be given promin-

ence with the Native Minister, who is always ready to meet legitimate grievances and do his utmost to remedy them.