TARANAKI REQUIREMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 26 April 1907, Page 2

TARANAKI REQUIREMENTS.

NATIVE LAND TAXATION'. DEPUTATION IN WELLiNUTOX. L'KESEXT CONDITION OF AITAUIS TO BE EwOED. Per Press Asociation. Wellington, April 2.i. The series of resolutions passed at -he Taranaki Local jiodies' Conference, relative to native land rating and kindled mutters, were brought before the Acting-Premier to-day by a deputation. .Mr Hull-Jones, in reply, said the native land rating and noxious weds questions were oi importance, and he iielievod ,ihe Native Laud Commission was approachinga stage when it would deal with both mii.W. Jt was very certain they could nol go on allowing noxious weeds to grow and spread over native lands or other lands, or allow native lauds io escape without paving something towar.U the upkeep of roads. The noxious weeds question would have to lie dealt with promptly, aiu i jf thenwas no power to make the natives do the work, it would have to be- done by the (lovci anient al a cost borne by the land, and not by the general taxpayer. As regards the roadiuj; question, lie realised the disadvantage of the country of having roads running alongside' miles of native lands which paid nothing at all. Such lands should )>car their share of the cost, and if rates were not immediately recoverable they would have to consider the question of anicntling the law. ''We are determined," lie added, "that this has got to be brought to an end, and the. land made reproductive and made to bear the burden of the cost." He hoped these matters would be the subject of recommendations by the Commissioners.

A Taranaki deputation, representing the Clifton, Eginont, and Taranaki County Councils, and the Parihaka Uoail Hoard had a long interview with the Acting-Premier this morning in connection with the resolutions passed hy the recent conference of Taranaki County Councils at Stratford, regarding the rating of native land, rates on surrendered or forfeited Crown leaseholds, and noxious weeds. The deputation pointed out that, the Amending Hating Act of IS'.U provided that rates on native land., within a given area could be imposed up to one-half the rate struck, but there was no saving clause for the enforcement of judgment, against a native owner without the Native Minister's consent. The Public Trustee, who administered the majority of the native lands in Taranaki, was only liable to the extent of the funds available in his hands. The natives used the roads to take supplies to dairy factories, but paid nothing towards the upkeep. The natives spent their raits from their reserves in hotels, and then, until next payment, lived in a state of semi-starvation. Kates on native land in the country last year amounted to .C7(i, of which tifteen shillings and twopence was collected. It was stated that valuation rolls did not disclose the correct names of natives actually occupying the native lauds. Noxious weeds were spreading ill native areas, and the position was becoming very serious.

The Acting-Premier replied that the rating and noxious weeds i|ucsliims were very important ones. They could not allow the noxious weeds difficulty to go on much longer, nor allow the natives to continue using roads without contributing towards their upkeep. If the [lowers of (he noxious weeds inspectors were not sufficient at present, increased powers must be given, but the charge must not fall on the general taxpayer. He thought that they would lind when further reports were received from the Native Land Commission, that tiic loading question would be fully dealt with. The representations of the deputation receive due consideration, and he Imped the present difficulties would soon end. WAITARA BRIDGE TO BE REBUILT. * Per Press Association. Wellington, April 25. Replying to n deputation which wailed upon him to-day, concerning the old Waitara Bridge Mr. Hall-Jones admitted that the bridge must be rebuilt in a very short time, because it gave connection with Central Taranaki. lie would enquire from (he Treasury as to what was done in similar cases where there was no rating area.