Local Body Problems Similar

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 14

Local Body Problems Similar

Local bodies tended to have similar problems, no matter what their country, and one could learn from another, said Sir Francis Hill, president of the International Union of Local Bodies, in Christchurch last evening.

With members from 60 countries, including some in the Communist bloc, the union was able to exchange ideas, he said, but the greatest direct benefit was gained by the African 'and other emerging countries. Local body officers from them could be given training for jobs into which they had been thrust with little real experience or training. Being non-political, the union’s conference, held every two years were a real forum for the exchange of ideas, and race and colour has no part. Sir Francis Hill, a barrister, ha- had long experience in local body work and is a member of the Royal Commission which is examining the reorganisation of local government in England and Wales. The commission was the third attempt to obtain reform, he said, and there was a general feeling that the present system was out-moded. In the light of that feeling he hoped that whatever the commission recommended would have more chance of success than previous schemes. One problem New Zealand shared was the number of small authorities. Sir Francis Hill said, and in the United Kingdom there was a tendency towards forming larger units. Sir Francis Hill has come to New Zealand to speak to the annual conference of the Municipal Association in Rotorua, and is touring the country before the conference opens on April 30.

He met chairmen and executive officers of local bodies in the Christchurch metropolitan area last evening and was welcomed by the Mayor of Christchurch (Sir George Manning). When asked by the DeputyMayor (Cr H. P.Smith) for an English view on a proposal to put the political affiliation of a candidate for local body

election against his name on 1 a ballot paper, Sir Francis 1 Hill said he personally thought this would be a good move and the political par- ; ties were generally favouring i it. , A desire for a source of revenue additional to rates 1 was general, he replied to Cr H. G. Hay. In the United Kingdom local bodies were ’ perhaps more dependent on :

Government grants than they were in New Zealand. There was a feeling that if there was a citizens’ tax or a local body tax that would cover residents as well as ratepayers, the Government would be the collecting and distributing agency, so there might as well be a general tax. Local bodies wanted something as of right, rather than as a grant.