Regional Authority For Local Bodies Proposed

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 16

Regional Authority For Local Bodies Proposed

A suggestion that local bodies in and around Christchurch consider establishing a regional auHmrity, elected or nominated from local authorities, to make over-all policy decisions in the local government of Christchurch and district was made by the acting-chairman of the Local Government Commission (Mr N. H. Moss) at a meeting called by the commisision in Christchurch yesterday. “You may well feel that the metnod of local government you now have in New Zealand is perfect and needs no improvement even though some of it dates back to 1866. ’Mr Moss told representatives of the city and borough councils, transport •nd drainage boards. “In tßat case you will be satisfied with the status quo. On the other hand, you may feel that the system of local government could be improved. and that with larger undertakings and greater expenditure looming in the future as papulation of Christchurch and district increates. coordinated planr.mg for the whole area might be an advantage. Toronto Authority “In making this suggestion I draw your attention to Toronto where there is a Population of millions. There a regional authority of 25 nominated men runs the drainage, transport, education and police ’The authority consists of 12 men nenknoted by the city, 12 by the surrounding municipalities, and an independent chainnen. It is the most i.uccessSul development in the world of government in regional matters and could be adopted in New Zealand if rhe people had the will. The Toronto regione! authority has been in existence eight or nine years and is most successful, ft is a central fund-raising corporation and had raised loans of millions of dollars. It deete with specific matters, education, drainage and so on. through committees but makes the policy decteions," Mr Moss as id.

Mr Moss eaid that the Local Government Commission in New Zealand had been in exigence for 10 years, but peapie voted against most of its schemes. “The present commission will go out of office and a new one be appointed in January after the Local Government Bill now before the House has been passed. Under the new bilL the commission w ill have the power to make blue-prints for local government in different areas, take the blue-prints to the local bodies and people concerned •nd ask them whet thev think of them. Nc Bine-print “In the five years I have been on the commission. I have never seen a blue-print for local government in any one area. The policy tor local government in any area, on an over-ail basis is not planned ahead. “You may consider that over-all planning and policy for the future is needed and you may think it worth while considering the suggestion about studying the Toronto regional authority It te up to you. and any blue-print for local government the com-

mission may put before you wall be for your consideration.” Mr Moss said. The chairman of the Ricrarton Borough Council (Mr E- J. Bradshaw) said he agreed with Mr Moss’s views on a regional authority. There is need for local government reform, but in the past the Local Government Commission has insisted on amalgamation, amalgamation, and the public do not want it.

“By all means let us consider a regional authority; a two-tiered structure with the regional authority as the second storey and the local authorities as a first-storey, looking after the needs in the local areas, as they can do well if the local people want them. A regional authority, without weakening the local authorities, would be welcome. But the regional authority must be elected.”