ENQUIRY PENDING.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 27 July 1933, Page 8

ENQUIRY PENDING.

LOCAL BODY GOVERNMENT.; | I ANXOtNCEMENT BY MR COAXES, j i i | THE PRESS Specisi Service. | " j WELLINGTON, July 26'. ; A complete and impartial enquiiy . in the noar future into local body, I'ovenirncni in New Zealand wasj 'oreshadowed by the Acting-Prime j Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G.J Coates. v.'hcn addressing those pre- j Lent to-day at a complimentary luncheon given by Mr A. E. Jull, M.P.. in honour of the delegates to • the counties' conference. Mr Coates! expressed the opinion that the time] was opportune for the country to j satisfy itself whether the present, r-.vstem was as economical as pos-t s'ible. Mr Coates said that he was deeply "■>en«ibie of the splendid work per-, formed by local bodies throughout New Zealand. Their task had not been an easy one, more particularly during the last two or three years, v. hen e.vtraordinary difficulties presented themselves. To-day it was more necessary than ever that there should be a general survey of the whole position, and this fact had not escaped the notice of the Government. He and his colleagues were of the opinion that now was tiie time calmly to survey the general situation, in order to make certain that ihe present system of administration was as efficient and economical as possible. There were those who contended that the present method was satisfactory, while oihcrs believed that a readjustment could be brought about with advantage to the taxpayer. The plain fact of the matter was that New Zealand was almost entirely dependent upon the farming industry. The fixed charges that fell upon land j were in excess of the reasonable relation to the return from the land itself. He did not agree with those who hold that total derating was! possible. "Relief Necessary." "We must approach the subject! with reason and with practical common sense," he said. "It is not practicable for the general Government to shoulder all these charges, nor is it practicable for the user to bear the whole load, but that relief is necessary is beyond all doubt. The question then is how to carry out an examination that will reconcile the conflicting interests and arrive at a definite understanding. We must give open consideration to the facts as they exist, and take into account also the views of the localities concerned, but I would imagine that there is room for the elimination of quite a number of minor local authorities, such as drainage boards, rabbit boards, and even possibly town boards." Mr Coates said that he thought it would be worth while considering whether amalgamation in some cases was not impossible. During the last three or four months he and his colleagues had given consideration to the problem, and within a short time he hoped to be able to make a definite announcement as to the form the enquiry would take. "The enquiry will not be long now," continued Mr Coates. "Perhaps I am saying too much. I do not know. I have been told that I have the least to expect from the public when they get a chance, but that puts me in a happy position. (Laughter.) I can at least say what I think, as I have nobody to please." (Renewed laughter.)