COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1919, Page 4

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

NATIVE LANDS SATING. * By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 3. '' Reporting to the Counties' Confer* ence to-day a special committee, set up to deal with the question of rating native lands for local purposes, oxpressed the opinion that the Govern* ment should amend the Rating Actrj with' reference to native lands, so thatf accumulated rates should be register*; ed against blocks of native land instead, of being registered against the title* of native lands. It was stated tha* they Bhould be placed on the same foot* ing as other lands in regard to loading, and the deviation and exchange at roads. The conference approved the) report. The conference adopted a report in favor of establishing an Advisory Roads Board on the Victorian system. Answering the representations of a deputation regarding finance and road* ing the Premier said it was only a question of ways and means. Motor traction and good roads would revolutionise country life in the Dominion* Whether the roads were made by the Government or by: local bodiies they must be properly made. Motors should be made to pay a great deal more than in the past. If the money was available no doubt the Cabinet would ba willing to increase the subsidy to counties on a carefully considered basis, Sa his opinion on the amount of rates collected. The Government would do everything possible to promote hydro*, electric development and roading. '. MOTOR TAXATION.

Wellington, Laat Night. The committee deputed to bring dowii recommendations regarding motor taxation reported as follows: That this committee recommends that the Customs duty on all motor vehicles, together, with 30 per cent, duty on all tyres, be collected by the Government through the Ciißtoms, and used towards an increase of grants and subsidies asked for by the conference; that the Tourist Department, through the Government, should maka better provision for the upkeep of tourist roads, which are severely damaged, by, motor traffic. The report was adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. : The election of officers resultedt Pre* sident, Mr. A. E. .Tull (Waipawa); Vice* presidents; Sir ' James Wilson (Bulls)* Messrs J. P. Bailey (Huntly), J. D. Bruce* (Akaroa), J. Cairns (Wakanui); esecutive committee, Hon. J. B. Gow (Opotiki), Messrs T. E. Crosse (Hastings), p. Mat* thews (Mangapapa), Q. V. Pearce (Kakaramea), J. Connett (Bell Blook), J. Wall (Te Kuiti), R. Boddy (Pioplb), C. N. Orbel (Levels), J. White (Gore), T. Maginnis (Owaka), S. A. Mair (RMgitikei), G. M. Hall (Cashmere), M. Bethell (Culverden), S. T. Spain (Clyde); hon, auditor, Mr. S. Bolton (Pahiatua).