Counties critical of local-body reform

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33563, 18 June 1974, Page 7

Counties critical of local-body reform

CA'.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN. The president of the Counties Association (Mr C. N. McKenzie) criticised the Local Government Bill in his report to the annual conference of the association in Dunedin.

He denied that the present local-body system preserved a town-country barrier. Existing council concepts were needed to protect the minority voting interests of the rural community so that they might control their own local issues.

Two or three centres might need regional councils. Mr McKenzie said, but there were some ambitious people in the country who would see them as advancements for themselves. He could not see any need for community councils. “In the country areas, we have all sorts of clubs and organisations which act as small community councils, and they look to • county councils for their needs.” Mr McKenzie also called for “definite decisions” by the Government on the recommendations of the committee on local authority finance, which brought down its report in June of last year. WAIMAIRI CONCERN

The chairman of Waimairi County Council (Mr D. B. Rich) expressed concern that the Local Government Commission would have “tremendous power and responsibility.” The address to the conference by the Minister of Local Government (Mr May) was iattacked by the deputy chairman of the Heathcote County ! Council (Mr J. M. McKenzie).

“1 haven’t been impressed by anything the Minister has said.” Mr McKenzie said. He accused the Minister of lack of action on amalgamation.