Local Government Reform

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22310, 26 January 1938, Page 10

Local Government Reform

The latest issue of " Board and Council," the official organ of various associations of local bodies, discussing the Government's county amalgamation scheme, makes a strong and convincing plea for research into the problems of local administration. It points out, as " The " Press " has pointed out many times in the last few years, that amalgamation is only one among many reforms necessary to promote efficiency and economy. " Will the central government," it asks, " be prepared to set in motion the neces- " sary machinery for research upon the whole " structure of local government, together with " special investigations into our rating systems, " hospital board levies, native rating, rating on " Crown land, uniformity in local body accounts " and stationery, standardisation of by-laws, " and a complete consolidation of statutes affect- " ing local bodies?" The question is a pertinent one. Mr Parry's Local Government (Amalgamations) Bill has been referred to a select committee oi the House of Representatives

which is now hearing evidence upon it from representatives oi' local bodies throughout the country; and the impression exists that this step is merely one way of postponing indefinitely the passage of a bill which is politically unpopular. The greater part of the evidence which the committee is hearing is a tedious repetition of all that has been said and written about local government reform since the bill was first published. It is unlikely that the committee's labours can produce any useful result. In the circumstances the Government would be well advised either to take its courage in its hands and proceed with the bill in the present session or to put .it aside for the time being, appoint the Royal Commission on Local Government which has been asked for by the Municipal Association and the Counties Association, and provide the local government division of the Internal Affairs Department with an adequate research staff. The second course would at least ensure some progress towards more efficient local administration. The course at present being followed seems likely to result in a shelving of the whole question.