Wider Powers For Ombudsman Urged

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31725, 8 July 1968, Page 12

Wider Powers For Ombudsman Urged

• (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 7. The Government should give the Ombudsman authority to investigate complaints against local bodies, the president of the Constitutional Society (Mr J. B. Donald) said today.

! There were signs that the work of the Ombudsman under his present jurisdiction was tapering off, he said. Mr Donald was commenting on the annual report of the Ombudsman, presented in Parliament last week, which showed that about 100 fewer cases had been received last yean It also showed that hundreds of complaints

against local bodies had been received over the years but were outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. “Local bodies have nothing to fear from an extension of the Ombudsman’s power,” said Mr Donald. It would probably prove invaluable in public relations and would give ratepayers greater confidence that their interests and rights were being protected by an impartial official who could make a full investigation, he said. “There is widespread

opinion that some local bodies spend a good deal of money for which value is not obtained; and there are many cases of high-handed interference with the rights and properties of citizens,” he said.