HIGH COSTS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20463, 5 February 1932, Page 8

HIGH COSTS.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION. A NELSON PROTEST. Particulars of the high costs 0* loc&l body administration were received in a letter from the Nelson City Council at last night's meeting of the Council of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The letter contained a copy of the following resolution: That understanding that the Government is very much concerned at the high eost of local government administration, the Council wishes to draw attention to the quite unnecessary number of inspections whicsh are now being carried out at enormous eost, and suggests that most of them could be cut put, thereby effecting great saving to both local bodies and to the Government itself. That a copy of the City administrative officers' report be appended to this motion to be sent to the Government and also to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. Inspections Made. The report stated that the various trades and industries subject to Government control carried on in the City were:— 1. Gas Works —For calorific values of gas and inspection and testing of meters. 2. Abattoir—For inspection of meat. 3. Electric Light Keticulation —For inspection of mains and services on electric motors. 4. Boiler Inspection —For safety purposes. 5. Weighbridge —For accuracy. 6. All butchers', fishmongers', and milk-sellers' shops, and all tea-rooms and shops for the sale of food and icecream, etc.—For cleanliness. 7. All Hairdressers' cleanliness. 8. Storage and Sal© of Dangerous Goods —For safety purposes. The report stated that the fees paid to the Government for the above purposes last year amounted to: — £ s d. For Gas Works . . 65 0 1 For abattoir . • • • 120 2 11 For electric light D 8 6 For boiler and electric motors' inspection .. (> 15 0 For weighbridge .. .. 2 6 0 For dangerous goods - • 37 12 8 Total . . .. 240 5 0 The balance of the fees for dangeroub goods (£l7l 15s) was retained by the Council. Referred to Sub-Committee. The report added that with regard to the -usefulness or otherwise of Government inspection, there was little to bo said in its favour, as the Council was quite competent, through its own officers and especially in its own interest, to see that everything that could bo done to ensure that the safety of its employees and others was guaranteed in cases where there was likely to be anv mechanical defect in any of its plant, and also with regard to the sale of gas and food commodities that botli quality and cleanliness were assured. If the Council was not able, or not to be trusted, to look after and properly control matters which were eminently its own business, without being constantly subject to duress from different Government then there seemed to be but little reason for its existence. The letter was referred to a sub-com-mittee to bo reported on later.