COMMISSIONS.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 10

COMMISSIONS.

EVASION OF DUTY. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. LEAD ON VITAL QUESTIONS; (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) HAMILTON, this day. ; The proposal ■of the Governni'ent to set ,up a commission to inquire into local body affairs without order of reference was strongly criticised by Dr. Campbell Beg<r, Dominion president of the New Zealand Legion, when interviewed today. Dr. Begg stated that one of the most vicious examples of power concentrated in the hands of the Government was the constant setting up of commissions for no other purpose than to 'allow those really responsible to evade their clear duty in giving Government a lead on vital questions and to dodge responsibility of their decisions. Dr. Begg added that a glaring instance was the apparent intention of the, Government to appoint a commission to consider local bti.'.y government while in the same breath the Minister of Internal Affairs was reported to have said that few amalgamations may be possible and that the matter must have careful consideration. Mr. J. W. Mawson, former Director of Town Planning, had made no secret of the fact that one commission which toured New Zealand had neither the will nor the knowledge, to make any recommendations proposed, the commission haying had no lead whatever from the Government.