AMALGAMATION
Sir, —The Local Government Commission was given the powers of a commission of inquiry so that it might inquire of its own initiative as well as judge facts brought before it. It was intended to be a court of final authority on local government matters. The act says: “Effect shall be given to every final scheme by Order-in-Council.” Note the wording: “shall be given”; not “shall be given if the Government thinks fit.” The act gives electors, in certain defined circumstances, power to override the commission’s findings; it gives the Government no such power. Nor should the Government want it. In Opposition, its members criticised the provision for polls; in office. Mr Bodkin has said that Riccarton demonstrates the weakness of the legislation. Though the Minister repeatedly promised a poll on the remainder of the scheme, in this matter the Government is as contemptuous of its pledges as of the law.—Yours, etc., M.P. November 11, 1952.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26886, 12 November 1952, Page 7
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157AMALGAMATION Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26886, 12 November 1952, Page 7
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