RESPONSIBILITIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 201, 25 August 1937, Page 15

RESPONSIBILITIES.

COUNTY CLERKS. • " • ADMINISTRATORS OF POLICY. MINISTER'S TRIBUTE. (By Telegraph:—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. ;County clerks held their annual general conference to day, .Mr. F. H. Hudson, of Horowhenua, presiding.

In welcoming the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, Mr. Hudson said that" there were some evidences of concern for the future, particularly as .to the positions of,county clerks and "their livelihood if drastic proposals were brought into operation. ; .f "The. position of a county clerk is one of peculiar responsibility," said Mr. Parry in his address. "His is the task of interpreting in practical administration the' policy- decision of the legislators. His duty it is to carry out the decisions, and in doing so he is no meremachine, but definitely and positively a link in the chain of -government. No Government or local body can expect its policy measures to be carried out in the spirit in which they are passed unless it has an administration not only able but willing to adapt itself to determined policies. "We have heard a great deal in Tecent years of the necessity for more business in Government. If. that expression means the introduction of the business point of view of getting things done as cheaply as possible, irrespective of the repercussions on other sections of the community, then I have no hesitation in saying that we do not need more business in Government. No mere examination qualifications or academic attainments will produce an efficient administrator. No mere professional status and no mere personality will satisfy the requirements of public service."

No Aspersions. I The Minister said he did not wish it thought he was casting aspersions either on the character or calibre of the national or local body service in New Zealand. Its public spiritedness was an attribute which he always admired, but we could not be satisfied with the attainments of the past. We had to provide for a future administration capable and willing to administer what must be a very great increase in the functions of government, both national and local. There is little doubt that unless we approach the reorganisation of local government in New Zealand with the intention not only of reorganising boundaries but of reconstructing our mental attitude in this direction, we can make little progress," said Mr. Parry.

So far as the county amalgamation proposals were concerned, the Minister thanked Mr. Hudson for the liberal views he had expressed. "I think you will agree that I have to be very careful in my campaign," he said. "I have thought of the displacement of county clerks rind county employees, it 1 * is not my desire to sidestep any matter. I have no popularity to gain and I am simply doing this work because I believe it to be correct." How the proposals were to be achieved would no doubt cause some difficulties. "I know you are concerned with the future," Mr. Parry said in conclusion, "but I must leavejt there just now. At the conclusion of the conference I *hall be happy to meet you and to consider your suggestions."

Officers Re-elected. The following officers were re-elected: President, Mr. F. H. Hudson (Horowhenua); vice-presidents, Messrs. George Kelly (Ashburton) and Edgar Ashcroft (Manukau); secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. W. Harding (Hawera) ■„ auditor, Mr. George DarSyshire (Wanganui). The following members of the executive were elected by tlie various district branches :-t-Messrs, , E. A. Mahonev (Hauraki Plains), C. J. •L. Campbell (Stratford), J. Graham (Woodville), H. H. Richardson (Rangitikei), L. 'J. Gollins (Waiinate), H. C. Giniblett (Southland) and D. J. Evans (Westland). . The business discussions were held in committee. Mr. G. Kelly, of Ashburton, Mr. E. Ashcroft, of Manukau, and Mr. G. S. Cowper, of Waimairi, presented | papers on aspects of county administration. Mr. C. J. Talbot, of Fairlie, president of the New Zealand Counties' Association. and Mr. F. Belton, of Patea, . a member of the executive, addressed the conference.