LOCAL BODY SYSTEM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 123, 9 March 1950, Page 4

LOCAL BODY SYSTEM

COMMISSION’S WORK DISCUSSED CHAIRMAN ASKS FOR , CO-OPERATION (P.A.) AUCKLAND, itfarch 8. Suggestions were made at the New Zealand Municipal Association’s conference to-day that the Government be asked to review the legislation under which the Local Government Commission is operating and that the matter be referred to the association’s executive for urgent attention.

Aloving accordingly, the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum) said it seemed, from the experience of the last few months that this legislation was virtually ineffective on material matters and the Government should overhaul it. There had been one example in the-north, and the. position iri Christchurch seemed chaotic as a result of the legislation. Mr J. E. Tait (Christchurch) seconded the motion.

The president (Mr Will Appleton) said that there Avas no suggestion that the Commission was on trial. Several delegates protested that the proposal before the conference mights stifle discussion. The conference adopted an amendment that discussion be deferred until two remits bearing on the subject had been discussed to-mor-row.

“We are convinced after three years operations that the poAvers of local authorities must be extended,” said Mr I. J. Goldstine, chairman of the Local Government Commission. “But before that there must be sound, efficient, and economic administration.”.

Co-operation Sought Local bodies could play a very etrong hand in assisting the Government to bi’ing about that state of affairs. “We can achieve nothing,” Judge Goldstine declared, “without the utmost co-operation from local bbdy ; members; We do Avant it, and Ave ask for it.” “Although it Avas holding public inquiries, the commission wanted a comprehensive view of the whole set-up before making any recommendations for reform. Suggestions and recommendations would be made, but the cooperation of all local bodies involved would be needed to make reforms. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. A. Bodkin) told the conference that the Local Government Commission had a job of extreme difficulty and delicacy in building the structure of local body government for the whole of Netv Zealand. It had been disheartening that its findings had been nullified in one instance by a poll representing fewer than 50 per cent, of those eligible to vote. “Strong local Government is the best guarantee the people can have against dictatorship,” said Mr W. E. Parry, former Minister of Internal Affairs. He urged that the honoraria of members of the Local Government Commission be i*evicAved as their Avoi’k had become practically a full-time job.