LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 10

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

Sir,—From recent speeches by the Prime Minister it would appear that a Local Government Bill is to be introduced during the coining session. I hopo the.statement will prove to bo true. Thero is, however, a provisional agreement to be arrived at before this muchneeded, frequently-promised, long-delayed measure is produced. That agreement is to be in the form of a resolution to be passed by the House, presumably affirming the necessity or the desirability of such a measure. This decision is to be .regretted, as it simply confirms one of the worst principles which has governed our Parlaimentary practice; that of ascertaining how much support is likely to bo given before a single step is-taken. It is not a real attempt to lead the House, but rather to be led by it, and to subvert every principle of true statesmanship. That such a measure is required' there can be -no doubt. Whether : the 'House will rise superior to the past, and equal to the present, remains to be: seen. Let us hope that •it will. Assuming, then, such a glorious possibility, there are a few features which ought,to obtain prominence that deserve of thoso I will, with your leave, refer. Granted that a comprehensive scheme, of real local government is contemplated, in •what direction ought Wo to-look for improvement? First, by a considerable reduction of local bodies, with their somewhat. . narrow ■ views and parochial jealousies. Second, by the establishment of extended county boundaries, or by bringing into full- operation tho Counties Act .and absorbing all the present. local bodies now existing within tho county area. Third, .by securing an assured finance to- enablo ..such- counties to properly discharge their, extended, duties in a satisfactory : manner: • ■-%'.;■ To bring about; this: gfea'C'desidcratum needs no- greater-'sum.of ■'money than is at the present time expended in placating tho numerous demands made; - upon the resources of the' country.. It would, however, have this, decided advantage, it would free Parliament: from its present anomalous position of being a rather unwieldy, and certainly very unsatisfactory, lioard of Works, the very uneven distribution of favours.has for./iiiany years been a cause of'serious-complaint. To cause such n 'measure:- to "be' -acceptable, a more equitable distribution:.becomes a hrst necessity; and-here is 'where the greatest difficulty would be encountered, iayoured districts Would ho longer be entitled to enjoy superior advantages, and less favoured districts would come into their own.: If this matter should bo left open to be scrambled; for, then wo should never obtain true local government, as tho evil influences of the past would be brought into full play; and so defeat tho beneficent object in view. It would appear that.some.form of classification wouldbo necessary:,to obtain real, justice; for it is manifest, that under circumstances so dissimilar, uniformity is qmto impossible. Kindly allow me to explain my meaning. Take f,or instance an area within a county situate in close proximity to a largo centre of population: on that account it would necessarily in limes past have received a very largo share of benefits, roads, bridges railways, etc, the two former largely, the latter entirely, at ,'tli'e public cost, lo compare such with outlying districts winch have few or very poor; roads, important and dangerous rivers uiiliridgod, ami no railway at all, would bo an utter absurdity—a roM injustice. How, then, can this difficulty be surmounted? In two ways. First, by the Government bringing down an equitable measure and resolutely passing it—in fact, doing their .plain duty;-or, secondly, delegating its wets, to a"'woll-selected commission to deal with tho various phases which must come under their consideration. Government' by commission, however, has its disadvantages. It is a candid admission that the Cabinet appointing such is either unable, or unwilling to accept.their proper responsibility; and, further,'there "is no power toi compel any Government to accept and give legal eficct't'o any recommendation made, no matter how good such might be. A further disadvantage is that no guarantee would be given that only those qualified would bo eligible for such appointment. The records of tho past prove this. Notwithstanding tho past, Vith all its evil influences, it is to be hoped that the Prime Jlinistcr will make a determined effort to introduce and pass so desirable a measure, and leave Parliament free to deliberate on questions of great national concern.—l am, etc., i'~ AGItICOLA.