ANOTHER BOARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 285, 1 December 1932, Page 5

ANOTHER BOARD.

LOCAL BODY CLERKS. EXAMS, AND CERTIFICATES. a CLOSE CORPORATION » CHARGE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The establishment of yet another board in New Zealand is proposed by the Local Government Officers Bill, introduced in the House yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Hamilton.

The measure haa been promoted at the instance of the New Zealand Institutes of Town Clerks and County Clerks. The board will conduct examinations in subjects relating to local government and its administrative affairs, and issue diplomas and certificates to those who have given satisfactory proof of their qualifications. Its title will be the Local Government Examination Board and it will consist of a member appointed on the recommendation of the Minister and two others appointed on the recommendations of the clerks' institutes. Power is reserved to appoint by Order-in-Council such additional members as may be required, on the recommendation of other interested organisations. Appointment will be for a term of two years. The board will have authority to appoint up to three associate members who are possessed of expert knowledge or special qualifications to assist it in its work. Power is incorporated also for the appointment of a registrar and of examiners.

Diplomas Without Examination. Diplomas may be granted without examinations to persons who at the time of the passing of the. legislation are employed as the clerks of any borough or county council or town board in New Zealand or of the board of any road district in the Eden County; and to persons who have been employed in senior clerical positions with the bodies named for the past five years. Application for the diploma must be made within one year of the bill's becoming law. The board will have power to extend similar facilities to clerks of other local bodies, and in these cases the time limit will be one year after the issue of the regulations bringing the class of local body concerned within the scope of the legislation. Revenue received by the board is to be applied to the payment of administrative expenses, salaries, travelling expenses, costs of appeals, and any purpose which will promote the objects of the interested institutes or associations. Investment funds are to be placed with the Public Trustee. Regulations will prescribe the forms of applications, diplomas, etc., the fees payable, the conduct of appeals, and the classes of additional local authorities that may be brought under the Act. Reception in House. There was nothing particularly enthusiastic about the reception of the measure in the House. "Another board —another board," was the chorus which greeted the brief Ministerial explanation, Mr. AV. E. Parry (Labour, Auckland Central) capping off the interjections with the observation: "It is a good job we have a State sawmill:" • "Who is asking for this legislation?" demanded Mr. H. T. Armstrong (Labour, Christehurch East). The Minister said the representations had come from the town and county clerks' institutes. He indicated that there was "no exclusive right" attached to the provisions. "A close corporation," interjected Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Ttoskill). The Minister: No, it is not. Mr. A. M. Samuel (Government, Thames) : Parliament is being asked to discuss these matters while the farmer is facing disaster. The bill was road a second time pro forma 'and referred to the Local Bills Committee.