RATING NATIVE LANDS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 130, 23 September 1913, Page 3

RATING NATIVE LANDS.

Injustice To Counties. The clerk of the Franklin County Council has Issued a circular letter to the various county councils of the Auckland district, emphasising the present unfairness by which Maori lands are permitted to escape from their just share of taxation. The letter is as follows: "The question of native lands in native occupation is one that afFect3 all the counties in New Zealand, more or less, and this County Council have placed the question before the Native Minister, urging that legislation be introduced in the House placing natives upon the same basis as Europeans in respect to occupied properties. We have pointed out that the European population pays rates to make and maintain the roads in a district; also as the hospital Boards base their calculations fur hospital and charitable aid purposes upon the aggregate values, the Europea-i population not only pay the rates upon their properties, but also upon the native properties, where the natives decline to pay. This Council has urged the Minister to introduce legislation to compel the natives to pay, or failing that then the Government pay th°se rates out of the consolidated revenue. I am further instructed to ask your Council to take up this question with the Hon. the Native Minister with a view of something being done."

The letter was brought before the Macukau County Council at its meet ing last week, and that body decided to endorse the Franklin County's protest.