MAORI LANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 129, 22 May 1908, Page 2

MAORI LANDS.

MAKING THEM BEAR THE FULL KATES. Per Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. At the conscience of the Farmers' Union this afternoon, Mr. Boddie moved:—"That tlie Government be urged to have all native lands made equally liable with Europeans to contribute their just share of rates for the maintenance of roads by which such lands are benefitted." • The very best of the lands in many instances was by the natives, he said, und it was only in comparatively isolated cases that the areas were being cultivated. Much of the best land was simply growing noxious weeds, and yet the pakelia had to maintain the roads through these lands. Therefore he contended that existing legislation in regard to the taxation of native lands should not continue one day longer. Major Lusk (Miu'iro) said it was high time the legislation for the native was. the same as Europeans. "It Is ridiculous," said the speaker, "to have separate laws for both races." The motion was carried unanimously, Mr Brodie then moved:—'That the Noxious Weeds Act should be applied equally to native lands wherever these adjoined European lands." It was not right, he said, that he should be made to clear his land and his next-door neighbor, a Maori, should be allowed to go scot free. Mr, McKenzie: The only way to overcome the difficulty is to individualise all native lands, and let the Maoris have the same laws as we have. The motion was carried. ;