THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 16, 19 July 1898, Page 5

THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

« Second Day. deputation to the premier. On the Conference resuming this morning the Presideut (Mr. J. R. Blair) reported that the deputation appoiuted the previous day had interviewed the Premier. They had discussed various matters referred to yesterday, but he was bound to say they got very little encouragement. As to the Municipal Franchise llefoim Bill, the Premier's attitude was in favour of one-man-one-vote, and in effect he said he did not recognise that " haystaoks aud bullocks" (otherwise property) had any right to a vote. He was desirous of pushing on with the Municipal Corporations Bill, but it depended entirely on circumstances. SHORT-DATED DEBENTURES. Mr. P. A. Philips (Auckland) moved in favour of legislation to enable cities or boroughs to issue debentures to the extent of one-half of the year's revenue for short dates at current rates of interest. The motion was lost on the voices. THE MUNICIPAL COPORATIONS BILL. The President asked if, in view of what the Premier had said, it was the desire of the Conference to discuss the Municipal Corporations Bill. Mr. Louisson (Christohurch) considered, there was not the slightest chance of the Bill being passed this session, and accordingly moved that it be discharged from the Order Paper. j Mr. Swan (Napier) suggested asking the Premier to convene a special session of Parliament to consider the Bill. It was worth it. Mr. Crowther, M.H.R., said the deputation of that morning had had a taste of the Premier's hobnailed boots. He would bring in the Bill how he liked, where he liked, and when he liked. It was useless the Conference discussing it. Mr. Trask (Nelson) urged referring the Bill to a committee of four for a report, and Mr. Reid (Ashburton) proposed that it should be considered by the Wellington delegates and Mr. Martin (Secretary). The subject was still uuder discussion when the Conference adjourned for luncheon.

Finally the Bill was referred to a committee, as suggested by Mr. Trask, for a report, the committee to consist of the Mayor of VTellumtou, and Messrs. Taylor (Dunedin), Phillips (Auckland), and Gray (Uiristehureh), with Mr. T. I<\ Martin, the secretary. It was decided that on rising to-day the Conference would adjourn until 2.30 p.m. to-morrow, to enable the committee to get to work and prepare its report in the meantime. VARIOUS SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS. Various amendments suggested in the Municipal Corporations Bill were next considered. A motion by the Mayor of Greymouth, that polls should close at 7 o'clock in cities and 6 o'clock iv boroughs, was lost; but he succeeded in carrying' a motion that the capitation grant to each Council for hospital and charitable aid should bo 4s per head for cities and 6s per head for boroughs. On behalf of Grey town it was proposed that boroughs be allowed to be constituted with an area of not less than two square miles and a population of 1800, but tbe motion was lost. On the motion of the Mayor of Greymouth it was resolved that the Association co-operate with the Counties Association in the endeavour to get the burden of charitable aid taken from local bodies and placed upon the Consolidated T'nnd. (Left sitting.)