Maoris and Road Rates.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 312, 17 May 1907, Page 2

Maoris and Road Rates.

NATIVE MINKI Eft’S ADVICE. On Monday aft- r > o n th«i c’ a'rman of th-» Taranavi i'oun’-. ogsc lan tie cba - ru nof 'he Clifton ’ounty oantdl an interview w th the Hor, I. Carro. iliin ister for Native tffairsj, t-nl d:s'UFfl«d with him the question of the recovery o’rates levied on n ttive lands. Tho deputation pointed out once more chat Maoris were n manv cases farming lands and con re . ing milk to the dair- f tones, ns ng the roads oth - »vn- • xteat as Eu opsan settlers, but they paid no ra *a. The local bodies w°re loth to go to c m ex-pent-e of Court proceedi gs, for h*r « <*• a clause in the Native Gan. Rating let, ’9o> which stipulated that no judgment secured against a Maori for payment of rates ooui-1 be acted upon without the consent of V*e Native Minister. The natives, it waa believed, sheltered behind this claooe and eclined to pay. The deputation asked Mr Carroll to state definato'y if he would allow this vO contin e or whether, he would ou: - sent to the local body proceeding to the fullest extent in order to secure tne payment of rates due. The Minister told the deputation to “fire away.” 'ihat was what he wanted. If they had to take the Maoris to Court, and judgments were (obtained, he wonld see that the rates were paid, even if he had to take the land and pay the rates himself.