NATIVE LANDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8440, 14 May 1907, Page 6

NATIVE LANDS.

RECOVERY OF RATES. By Telegraph—Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 13. This afternoon the Chairman of rthe Taranaki County Council and the Chairman of the Clifton County Council secured an interview with the Minister for Native Affairs(Hon J. Carroll), and discussed with him the question of the recovery of rates levied on native lands. The deputation pointed out once more that Maoris were in many cases farming lands and conveying milk to dairy factories, using the roads to the same extent as European settlers, but they paid no rates. Local bodies were loth to gq to the expense of Court proceedings, for there was a clause in the Native Land Rating Act, 1904, which stipulated that no judgment secured against a Maori for nonpayment of rates could be acted upon without the consent of the Native Minister. The natives, it was believed, sheltered behind this clause, and declined to pay. The deputation asked Mr Carroll to state definitely if he could allow this to continue, or whether he would give consent to a local body proceeding to the fullest | extent against the property in order to secure payment of the rates due. The Minister told the deputation to " fire away." That was what he wanted. If they had to take the Maori to Court, and judgment were obtained he would see that the rates were paid, even if he had to take land and pay the rates himself.