AMALGAMATION PLAN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 133, 17 March 1933, Page 3

AMALGAMATION PLAN

COUNTIES IN CANTERBURY. VIEWS OF VARIOUS BODIES. (Special to tfce "Guardian.") CHPJSTCHUKCH, This Day. The amalgamation of counties suggested in a circular letter issued by Mr A. E. Jull, M.P., president of the New been discussed by several county councils in Canterbury, which have arrived at varying decisions. Generally, the question has been held over for consideration later, but in one or two instances indications have been given of the possibility of some action being taken. Before the issue of the circular letter by Mr Jull the South Canterbury counties—Mackenzie, Waimate, Geraldine and Levels—had discussed amalgamation at the instance of the Mackenzie County Council, and it is understood that consideration of the matter is still going oh. Although it is unlikely that all the four counties mentioned will amalgamate, it seems possible that some rearrangement of boundaries may take place. To Avoid Coercive Legislation. The circular letter of the president of the Counties' Association invited county councils to review the position in their own areas rather than wait for legislation that might, perhaps, be coercive. It is stated that so insistent had been the demand for reduction in local body expenditure that the Prime Minister had promised that a commission would be set-up to make investigations with a view to effecting economies. Of the 677 local bodies in the Dominion 125 were county councils and it' was considered that such a multiplicity of local bodies must mean great duplication of staffs and plant and a . consequent high administrative costs. Between 1921 and 1931 the number of administrative, professional and clerical officials of all local bodies had increased bv 64 per cent, and salaries had increased by £439,962, or 84 per cent. The circular asked county councils to survey the local authorities, including drainage, river, road, electric power, and town boards, as well as the number of county councils, to ascertain if some reduction could be made, or whether it should not be mandatory for county councils to appoint committees to deal with the special functions of the existing minor bodies, such -committees to include members appointed by the ratepayers, or by interests specially concerned, administrative ' and rate collecting to be the duty of the county council. Views of Canterbury County Councils. The Ashburton County Council, at its latest meeting, considered the matter of great importance, and decided to provide each member with a copy of the circular letter, and to discuss the subject at the next meeting. The Malvern County Council has decided to discuss the subject, in committee, at its next meeting. The Ellesmero County Council decided to? reply to the circular to the effect that very little benefit would result from the amalgamation of local bodies in North and Mid-Canterbury. The Springs County Council decided that there was no recommendation to be made at present, and that the question was one for the proposed commission to deal with. The Eyre County Council considered that there would be little to be gained by the Eyre county by an amalgamation with Rangiora and Oxford counties, except, possibly, by the use of a joint crushing plant. It was left to the chairman j(Mr F. L. tParnham) to approach the chairman of the Rangiora County Council (Mr W. Stalker) and discuss matters with him, and the county clerk was instructed to collect data on the subject. The Rangiora County Council held over the circular letter for consideration early in the new financial year, but agreed motion favouring the amalgamation of the counties between the Waimakariri and Ashley Rivers'. The Ashley Countj' Council decided to take no action as it did not appear to the members that the number of local authorities operating in the county was excessive, or .that the county itself was closely enough related geographically with adjoining counties to warrant amalgamation. The Cheviot County Council, though it took no action, decided to keep the matter under consideration.