Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1936. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 264, 20 August 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1936. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

The criticism of the local government system in New Zealand voiced by the Hon. R. Semple in Christchurch will receive general endorsement, for the need for reform in this sphere has been recognised for some time. The matter, indeed, was considered by the National Government, but nothing came of proposals for reform that were advanced from time to time. The Labour Ministers have on various occasions expressed themselves forcibly on the subject, not the least emphatic being the Hon. W. E. Parry, who, as Minister for Internal Affairs, has the responsibility of formulating a plan to carry out the Government’s policy. In a statement some months ago, Mr Parry confessed that his experiences among the multiplicity of local authorities had been uncomfortable. That he should feel himself hampered is not surprising. He is confronted with 680 councils and boards, without counting special authorities, and he wants to clear room in which to move. He announced, therefore, that he did not propose to wait on the peregrinations and long deliberations of a commission but to make an immediate start at clearing up the local clutter. It is a courageous decision, as the Government will find when it comes down to cases and begins to abolish unnecessary local authorities. There are plenty of them, but none considers itself unnecessary and all are bound to contest the Minister’s decisions. The Government will do well to anticipate such opposition and not to mistake the cries of small interested bodies for the true voice of the people. Public opinion will approve the stated policy and support its faithful application. There are a great many bodies that could be merged or abolished and that never will be missed.” The result should be economy and increased efficiency. At the same time the method of direct attack will be found to have its limits. Something more comprehensive, more constructive, will be required to rationalise local government. So far as the Ashburton County is concerned, the tendency for some time has been in the direction of the absorption of road boards by the County Council. Of nine road boards originally existing, five have been abolished, leaving the Mount Hutt, South Rakaia, Wakanui and Longbeach still in operation. All the boards, those extinct as well as those still existent, have to their credit valuable work for the advancement of the community, but changing conditions have limited their activities to a degree that makes their continuance of doubtful benefit. With the introduction of the main highways system, the duties of boards is confined to. the control of side roads, a responsibility that might well be entrusted to the central body.