TOO MANY LOCAL BODIES

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 207, 29 May 1936, Page 10

TOO MANY LOCAL BODIES

Grouping Advocated MINISTER EMPHASISES NEED OF REFORM Legislation Certain “Surely there is no one to-day call ing himself progressive who is prepared to advocate continuance of lhe present state of affairs, especially in view of the fact that our development demands that a more economical and efficient system of local government be brought about,” was the opinion ex pressed yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, in referring to the intention of the Gov eminent to introduce this session legislation to help in the amalgamation or grouping of local bodies. Mr. Parry said that the proposed legislation would give the machinery to enable the desired end to be achieved. The Minister’s remarks follow the decision of the Petone Borough Council to meet the Lower Hutt Borough Council and other local bodies affected to discuss the question of amalgamation of local authorities in lhe Hutt Valley. “I wish them well,” Mr. Parry said, “in this far-reaching and important work. I would appeal to my own city (Auckland) and suburuan local bodies to take a similar step in order to end the unnecessary duplication of local bodies in that area, and also to all local bodies from one end of the country to the other to co-operate with the Government in its attempt to eliminate the waste that takes place through the out-of-date system of local government existing to-day. Since I intimated. shortly after coming into office, the intention of the Government to face up to the solution of this problem, I have received nothing but congratulatory messages and an earnest of goodwill from all parts of New Zealand. Active Assistance. “There is, besides, an almost national unanimity of the Press toward the grouping of local bodies into larger and stronger units of local government. In fact, we have evidence of active assistance in ail parts of the country today by local body representatives fur thering this important work. I must say that I am very grateful to those gentlemen who are taking the broad, longsighted view in endeavouring to bring about some measure of reform in their own localities. I will afford to any groups of local bodies contemplating action in this direction all assistance possible in coming to a voluntary grouping in their respective areas. It appears to me that this work could well be done by the local authorities themselves, if the will is behind our local body representatives.” Promoting Amalgamations. The Minister announced that it was the intention of the Government to bring down legislation after the winter recess dealing with the amalgamation or grouping of local bodies in those districts where interests were approximately identical. “This legislation," he said, “will contain machinery which will assist any groups of local bodies to effect voluntary amalgamations. Those local authorities in certain areas who do not take any action, either before or after the legislation is passed, will be called upon to show to a tribunal, which will lie provided for in the legislation, reasons for a retention of the status quo.” Mr. Parry expressed his opinion that there would be no need to wait for the operation of the law. “Grouping on a comprehensive basis could take place, or the negotiations to do so could commence,” he said, “before the new law becomes operative.. I fervently hope that this will take place, and that my appeal for local initiative will receive the careful attention of all our local body representatives. I have had to consider many and varied proposals since I came into oflice. To none have I given more thought than to this vexed question of local government reform. My sail is now set. lam going to move toward the port of my objective. With the goodwill and voluntary assistance of local government representatives I am confident that my voyage will be not only smooth and pleasant, but profitable to all concerned.”