FEWER COUNTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 194, 18 August 1933, Page 8

FEWER COUNTIES.

PROPOSAL FOR NORTH.

CONFERENCE DISCUSSION.

ANOTHER MEETING LATER,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WHANGAREI, this clay.

All counties from Rodney northwards were represented at the conference today to discuss amalgamation of counties.

In a letter the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates I said that the principles involved in the I hypothetical statement prepared by Mr. H. C. Hemphill was along the right lines, but he believed it would be productive of more results to keep those problems relating to rural local bodies from urban government. In view of the contemplated commission he preferred not to express his opinion on the proposals..

The matter was fully discussed today, some delegates being of the opinion that amalgamation was inevitable, and others holding that the economic gain would be small, if any, and that larger areas would be difficult to administer efficiency. Delegates were asked to place the matter before their individual councils, and forward criticisms to the Northland Comities' Association with a view to another conference to co-ordinate views prior to the presentation of evidence to the commission which will probably bo set up.

(Proposals set before the conference are reported on page 12.)