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Notes of Meetings Between His Excellency the Governor (Lord Ranfurly), The Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier and Native Minister, and the Hon. James Carroll, Member of the Executive Council Representing the Native Race, and the Native Chiefs and People at Each Place, Assembled in Respect of the Proposed Native Land Legislation and Native Affairs Generally, During 1898 and 1899.

Imposition and Collection of Dog-tax

Imposition and Collection of Dog-tax.

As to the dog-tax, there are some districts where there is no settlement of any consequence and where there are no sheep. I will tell you what has been done by the Mongonui County Council. An arrangement has been made between the Council and the chief to the effect that if any destruction of sheep or annoyance is caused by Native dogs, the Natives themselves will undertake to destroy the offending dogs, but if any annoyance is caused by the settlers, then the dog-tax will be collected. In other words, the settling of this question is left entirely to the chiefs. This is the arrangement come to between the local body and the chiefs and though there is no authority in law for it, yet by mutual arrangement it is working most satisfactorily indeed. I am of opinion that if this question were submitted to Parliament, and especially if Mahuta and other chiefs were in the other branch of the Legislature to place their views before Parliament, laws would be passed in the direction of removing the annoyance. The settlers tell me that since that arrangement was made they have never had any trouble with the Natives dogs. As compared with the land question, which is of vital importance, the question of dealing with the dog-tax laws is small indeed. I know that the position in respect to the Native lands and the purchasing of them is not in a satisfactory condition. It is therefore the duty of the Natives themselves to see that they have representation in both branches of the Legislature, which will enable them to pass laws for the good of both races.