AMALGAMATION SCHEMES

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 6

AMALGAMATION SCHEMES

Possible Deferment Of Poll SPECULATION BY LOCAL BODIES A belief that the proposed poll on amalgamation issues m the Christchurca araa will not take place cn November 18—municipal polling day—is growing amom? local oody administrators. Election day is only 10 weeks off, and the opinion is developing that it will be impossible for the counties and ad hoc local bodies involved in the amalgamation schemes of the Local Government Commission to prepare the necessary rolls and have them printed in time. The delay in the introduction of the legislation for a poll of all concerned with the proposals is another basis for the conviction, held by men -who have been most interested in the question. that the poll cannot be held on November 18. The assurance has been given by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. A. Bodkin) that the bill will be reierred to the Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives, which will hear the evidence of all interested parties. A visit to Christchurch by the committee was expected at one stage, but a city councillor has been informed by a Government member that the committee v. ill hear all evidence in Wellington and will not make a special visit to Christchurch. The position relating to Christchurch alone has been complicated by moves in the North Island to have the whole question of polls on amalgamation schemes considered by the Local Bills Committee when it is considering the Christchurch area representations. The point has been made that, as the committee will be dealing with a local bill, it would be exceeding its scope if it heard representations on issues beyond the bill. The general guestion of polls is covered by the ocal Government Commission Act, and until amendments to it are brought down or a select committee of the House of Representatives set up it is unlikely to be investigated. Another problem of local government which has caused discussion in the North Island is Section 13 (3) of the Local Government Commission Act. reading: “No scheme shall provide for the transfer of the whole or any part of any trading undertaking or of any functions in relation thereto from any local governing authority except upon the union, merger, or abolition of the district of the local governing authority.” The opponents of the section argue that the vital word is governing.” and that the interpretion in the act provides that the governing authority is the city, borough, county council, or the town board. Secret meetings of some North Island electric power supply authorities and power boards are reported to have been held to discuss moves to have the clause amended, and the issue is likely to be raised again at the annual conference of boards and authorities in Christchurch at the end of this month.