LOATH TO PAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 273, 8 February 1928, Page 13

LOATH TO PAY

MAORIS AND RATES ARRANGEMENT WITH COUNTY BETTER CONDITIONS (From Our Own Correspondent J KAIKOHE. To-day » he most important conference of leading chiefs and large Maori land-owners that has been held in the North for many years past has concluded its deliberations, after achieving results which should confer far-reaching benefits upon Maori land-owners. A BOUT 600 of the most influential chiefs and land-owners from th*North Auckland district were present to meet Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., and party. The proceedings started with a most elaborate ceremonial welcome, including war dances and hakas on a scale now rarely seen. Speeches of welcome were delivered by a representative of each of the leading tribes of the North, who individually and collectively expressed their pleasure at having the honour oi entertaining such distinguished visitors, on a mission to submit vital proposals for the future well-being of the Maori people. On rising. Sir Apirana Ngata received a most enthusiastic reception. He replied to the ceremonial welcome, after which he expounded in detail J the proposed scheme of consolidatin g the Maori lands and benefits to be df - rived by the, Maoris therefrom. All the delegates accepted the proposals outlined. TRANSACTIONS REVIEWED Detail work was thc-n started, and all successions and exchanges pot through the Maori Land Courts during the past ten years, in the whole of the Bay of Islands district* were revised and completed. Mr. Cooper and party will return to Russell in about a fortnight to arrang l for the consolidation of the various interests that have not been previously de It with. The Northern Maoris departed to - their homes to prepare for a. visit from Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., and Mr. Tau Henare, M.P., early in March, to meet the Maoris who were not present at Otiria. and also prepare the way for the administrative party, headed byMr. Cooper, who will follow shortly afterwards. While the conference was in session an invitation was extended to, and accepted by, the Bay of Islands CountyCouncil to meet and confer regarding rates owing on Maori lands. It was shown by the Council that the rates collectable on Maori lands were approximately £3.000 per annum, while the actual amount collected was only £BO. It was agreed that the Council i should forego all past rates, and they lure to receive £1.500 per annum to b' | paid by the department, pending the j Act coming into operation about 193*). (This sum will be charged against tli blocks, and shares apportioned when 1 the titles are being registered under | the .Land Transfer Act. The lands will ; then be liable to the full operation of i the Rating Act and treated as ‘pakeha’’ lands.

It is anitcipatea this will solve the vexed question of non-pa yment of Maori rates.