LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 6

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Enthusiasm for local government reform was very keen during the depression, and the Government undertook to have a thorough investigation made of the present system, with a view to improvements. It now seems likely that nothing will be done. Sir Alfred Ransom's address to the'Counties' Association on Wednesday left little room for doubt. He could not, he said, visualise any material change in the present local body administration. In some respects it might be advisable on the score of economy to bring about some change, but on that point he did not propose to speak further. It was evident from the figures that improvements were being steadily effected by local bodies. The of election was quite satisfactory. And so on. It may be, as Sir Alfred Ransom suggests, that there is no need for making radical changes in the system, but the public should not take the Government’s word for that. Very strong and convincing arguments were raised previously for a painstaking overhaul, and these arguments still hold good. It is no doubt true that it would be impossible to deal with legislation for the reform of the system during the present session, but that is no reason why an extraparliamentary commission should'not bet set up with an order of reference that would enable it to declare whether or not reforms are necessary. That at least would satisfy public opinion in the meantime, and clear the Government of any charge that may be raised against it of having made a promise and failed to keep it. The fact seems to be that the further people get away from the depression the more inclined they are to forget the revelations made at that time of the excessive cost of government —local and general. They had. an opportunity then of remedying that state of affairs, and in certain important respects it was not neglected. The danger now is that they may relax their concern and vigilance, and allow old evils to persist and new ones to creep in.