MAORI LANDS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20916, 22 September 1939, Page 11

MAORI LANDS

TAXATION INCIDENCE FARMERS’ UNION COMPLAINT STATE POLICY OUTLINED (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Thursday Following its complaint in respect of taxation on Maori lands that the present system was inequitable the Auckland Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union has received a letter from the Government outlining its policy. The executive had complained that European farmers were paying lor roading and other amenities equally shared by Maori land-holders. In its reply, the Government stated that the first essential step in rectifying the position was to have the Maori lands brought into production. The Government considered that the Maori should stand up to his obligations as a citizen and pay his share of taxation, but, on the other hand, the State could not agree to native lands being sold because of non-payment of rates, until such time as a particular Maori had been given a reasonable chance of obtainir.ti' the necessary revenue to meet his ordinary living expenses, farm maintenance and such charges on the land as rates. This long-view policy needed patience in affording the Maori time to become a self-support-ing member of the community. The executive of the union decided to advise the Government of its opinion that pending fruition of this policy, provision should be made to relievo European ratepayers of the unfairly high rate of payments they were called upon to make to provide roading for the natives as well as lor themselves.