THE CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNMENT.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 138, 15 June 1881, Page 2

THE CONFERENCE OF LOCAL BODIES. DEPUTATION TO THE GOVERNMENT.

A deputation, consisting of the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Messrs. Beetham, M.H.R.; Carson, Buchanan, Phillips, and Lancaster waited on the Government th s morning -to bring before their notice tho resolutions passed at the recent Conference of delegates representing various local boiies in New Zealand. The deputation, which was accompanied by Mr. J E. Page, the secretary to the Conference was received by tho Hons. J. Hall, T. Dick, and W. Johnston. The resolutions in question, which were published in these columns during the sitting of the Conference, were read over by the Hon. Mr Gisborne, who then presented a copy thereof to tho Premier. Various speakers dwelt on particular portions of the resolutions, wh'ch, Mr. Hall remarked, substantially resolved themselves into a demand for additional pecuniary assistance to local bodies in the colony. Mr. Gisborno explained that tho resolutions contemplated the stoppage of the present system ot subsidies ; their object was to suggest a more equitable mode of distributing means to bodies of this description. Mr. Phillips suggested tho appointment of a Select Committee to enqu.re into the matter. Repljing to the deputation, Mr. Hall did not thiuk the Government would be expected to say more at present than that they would give their best attention ti the resolutions. The problem, of course, was an exceedingly difficult one. No doubt, in many cases, useful information could be collected by a select committee, and perhaps this might be one of such cases ; but he Oi 1 not wish to be understood to give any opinion as to whether the question was one which could bo considered by a committee during the present session. The rnnin question was ono ot finance. The Government had already stated ia the (Jover nrr's speech that they would snbmit certain proposals fur pecuniary assistance to be rendered to local bodies, and he must ask the deputation to wait until those proposals were made known. He need hardly assure the deputation that local bodies had no warmer friend than himself. The interview then terminated.