CIVIC GOVERNMENT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 3, 4 July 1910, Page 7

CIVIC GOVERNMENT.

. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE. THE .PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. FRANCHISE QUESTION. ' The-., eleventh conference of delegates tot theiManicipali Association ofJNow Zea-.landv-'opTjned to-day in the .Wellington -City/ Council Chamber, tho Mayor of 'Wellington- (Mr. T. M. Wilford) presid■iag-. The following delegates were present /at the opening of the conference: — Messrs. G. Armstrong (Akaroa), H. Davis (Ashbozton)j .L. J. Bagnall, H. M. Smeeton (Auckland), L. R. Phillips (Blenheim), C. Allison, H. J. Otley, H. S. SmiSi (Ghristchnrcb.), E. -A. Ransom (Baanevirke), W. Hundley, -fDevonport), T. Cole, J. Wilson (Dune- - din), E. Page^Eketehuna), W. J. Holdsworth- {Grey Lynn), Hon. A. B. Guinness (Greymouth), J. A. Miller (Hastings), W. A. Ott (Invercargill), A. Ball (Invercargnl South), J. B. Hine (Inglewood), J. H. Blackwell (Kaiapoi), C. I. Dasent (Karori), M. J. Miller (Lyfctelton), R. E. Beckett (Marten), J. M. Coradine (Masterton), J. F. Arnold ,^Mornington), J. Brodie (Miramar), J. Vigor Brown, J. J. Niven (Napier), T. Pefctitt (Nelson), F. Bell-ringer (New Plymonth), W. 'Begg, J. C. Fea (North East Valley.), L. R. Phillips (Northcofe), R. Kfilligan (Oamaisu), J. G. Harkness (Onslow), F. W. Lang (Onehunga), E. H. Glarke (Port Chalmers), G. J. Riddell (Picton), J. W. M'Ewan (Petone), J. A. Nash, H. Haydon (Palmecston .North), W. Fraser (Qjaeenstown), E. F. H. Hemingway (Stratford), Hon. J. Barr (Summer), T. K. Sitiey (St. KHda), T. Buxton (Tem-uka), J. Craigio (Timaru), J. P. Aldridge (Taihape), J. J. Devkie, A. H. Hindmarsh (Wellingvton), M'Gregor Wright (Woolston), C. E. ""Mackay (-Wsagaanii), W. T. Jennings (•Waitara), R. Bonld (Johnsonvilfc), A. J. M*Curdy (Upper Htrf*}, E. P. Bunny (Lower Hutt), Sir W. J. Steward (Waimate). The president (Mr. T. M. Wflford, MiP., Mayor- of Weflingfcon-), in his-open-ing remarks, adtted a^special welcome to the representatives of tho town boards, who -were present- at the Municipal Conference for the first time this' year. Mr. Wilford then read 1 fhe-^prefiident'B report, which included, a mimiwrsof resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Executive and Legislative Committee held on the 7th June, 1909. Heonoved the adoption of the-report and indorsed the committee's resolutions. The motion was seconded- by; Mr. Bagnall (Auckland), and can-led unanimously. PAST DECISIONS DISREGARDED. Mr. Wilford alluded to the action of the Government in the paafc throwing to .tie the resolutions of *the municipal conferences as a matter of the gravest concern. If conferences composed of experts in municipal ■ government were to- have the fruits of their deliberations pat aside, thai, would : bo one reason why the conferences could not continue. He proposed to ask tna conference to make a (Strong and formal protest .against the non-inclusion of some of the past resolutions -of obnferenoaßv'in BiHs which ha-ve.passed'mt©. statute -tew. Those members of the conference who wore a&o members of Parliament would do theii* best- to forward the- Tntecests of 'the conference- and of municipal government. Mr. Wilford Telerxed to tb&v&ct that the deliberations of the Harbour Boards' Conference had found fruit in the Harbour Board Bill to*come- Defore the present Parliament. Mr. L. B. Bagnall (A^cldandJ^-befora proceeding to discuss $» -aaiestiaay «>n.gratufated the president an bisvefecfiott to the Mayoralty of Wellington. HIS EXCELLENCY) THE GO-VEROR. At this stage His Excellency the ■Governor {Lord Islington) armed,, and wasTecewod wAh loud vappJacea His^Excellency thanked the president and the conference for the opportunity of meeting the represemfcatiwes of civic government in New Zaaknd. He-,-ex-pressed his pleasure-afetheirecepJSon, wfcioh was a- kindly, warm welcome, characteristic of the people-of New Zealand. He had had some experience of civic administration, and his past experiencft had shown him how great a-respoosibil-ity lay upon the shoulders of the genfleinen who undertook that particular branch of public work. The comfort and' the health of the public largely depended on the. efforts of municipal administration. He knew from what ho had read that Ne,w Zeafand local government in.no way lagged behind -bhat.of the modern world. He knew, too, how fruitful these 'annual conferences were in which delegates could exchange ideaa and work for the common good. He trusted that he would have the opportunity of meeting and coming inbo touch with those responsible for the government" of the different localities in days to come. (Applause.) His 1 Excellency then withdrew. VARIOUS QUESTIONS. _ . The President- then made a/rapid survey of various, questions before>tbe conference in the remits. He pointed out the disabilities under which certain residents in cities laboured. They were not ratepayers, and .therefore could not vote as ratepayers, but they lived in the city and spent- large -sums there. On tho question of t&e -election, of Mayor, whether by the citizens or by the council, Mr. Wilford said he believed that a Mayor should serve on councils. There was nothing like an apprenticeship to help a man to-.-b.okl the highest office in municipaljgowernment. He-did, not- think it was an undemocratic procedure for thex:ouncillors>to elect -their own Mayor. Another matter was the fact that the Government had acquired land indifferent places- and. had not .paid rates. They did not put the land into use. Every borough at the present-time wasphsdged to forejgn.debenture-holders for the--wdiole of their district. Under the present circumstances part of their assets was gone. Either the settlement of the'lands should be pushed on, or some arrangement should be reached by which tha bproughs-might be reimbursed. As regarded the regulation of traffic, Mr. Wilford said that-as a motor owner and driver of several years' experience, he was in favour of the regulation of motor traffic to vprevent excessive speed. He was prepared to do anything to stop "scorchers." He held that the man who did not own the car was usually, the worst offender. It was absurd to fix a limit, as, say, for instance, eight miles an hour in Willis-street. That speed w&uld b&- fatal yon Saturday night. There should bo a differentiation of speeds according to circumstances, so that there-should be a reasonable speed. SUPERANNUATION,: NATIONAL ANNUITIES BffiL. Tho consideration of'the^esfcabliahmeiit of a joint superannuation fond, as between the Municipal Association and the Harbour Boards' Association and the Counties'' Association^ was brought before the- meeting of 'the Executive and Legislative Committee of the Municipal Association hold last year, and referred to this conference. The questions on which the opinion of the- conference was 1 desired were whether any farther action [in the direction of- establishing the proiPOfcecl united fund, jsas^c^aa^ and'

if ,-the Municipal Association would contribute to the expense of having a report made by the Government Actuary as' to the amount per cent, for ' subsidy .that it would be necessary for a local authority to piovide in order to establish a sale superannuation fund under the Act. The Harbours' Association also suggested several • amendments to the Act, including one that in the computation of retiring allowances a proviso be added to section 26, providing that the retiring- allowances shall be assessed on the basis of the contributor's three years <>f maximum salary. /_The president, in the course of his address, said that one of the most important questions to be considered was that of superannuation, and particularly one point which .required particular attention. It was that if one association combined with another in a joint 'fund, the local body had to guarantee the fund. The position of the Railway and Police Superannuation Funds should be remembered. Both these, funds every year required grante from the Government to enable them to caTry on. He maintained that Jot superannuation a general scheme and |i<Jt a particular scheme should be instituted. Any worker who wished to join a J fnnd should , be 1 allowed to do so, but ithat fund, should be established by the Sjtate. To undertake a Superannuation Innd was a most difficult matter, and he urged that- delegates who had-not much experience in the question should seriously consider it before landing the local body into an absolute guarantee for the dolv«ncy of the fund. He moved that no, action he taken in the matter of the superannuation scheme, but that the Government be ,urged to introduce a National Annuities Bill. \ilr. C. All iron, Mayor of Ohristchurch, seconded the motion. The question di national annuities had been before the country for the past twenty years, and it was time that a move was made in the ■matter. Germany, he said, had made a great success of the scheme, and. it was {■ime- it was adopted here 'and made 'compulsory. It was quite right that people should be mad© to uiako provision for old age. ' Mr.rßagnall (Auckland) aad<t his council had had the matter under consideratipn at various times, but as yet no action had been taken. ' He thought it would be'.riiore satisfactory if tho Government took up the matter. <Mt. H. Davis (Mayor of Ashburton), -Mr. T. Cole (Mayor of Dnnedin), and {Mr. W.-W. M'Cardle (Mayor of Pahia*ua) also agreed that the Government ehould take up a national annuities gcheme. The motion was carried unanimously. .' ELECTORAL. A remit irom Auckland was moved as follows by Mr. Bagnall : — "That the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, section 13, be amended to provide that in the cities, claims for enrolment must be •lodged at least twenty-eight days before a poll to permit of their being properly checked before the final closing of the roll, as provided for in tfhe said section." There was some discussion as to the inclusion of boroughs and town boards in the motion. It was finally decided to include boroughs of a population not les3 than 3000. The motion, as amended, .was carried. Mr. E. F. H. Hemingway (Stratford) moved that the Municipal Corporations Act, 1903, should be amended by repealing section 22 and substituting section 17 of the Local Elections and Polls Act therefor. This, the speaker pointed out, .would make it optional for local bodies to close their polls at 6 or 7 p.m. He did not think it was necessary that the booths should ■be kept open until 7 o'clock in the smaller boroughs. In the 'subsequent discussion the speaker was supported by some representatives of small boroughs, but others protested, urging that voters working in the city and living in the suburbs would not have time to- record their votes. A storm of "Noes" decided the motion. RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth (Grey Lynn) moved — "That ihe qualifications to votetit municipal elections (other than ratepayers) be so amended, that for each house occupied by a person other than a ratepayer shall be -only the one vote, for the occupier (and his wife, if any), and that the present qualification whereby any person under a tenancy, the rent under which is at the rate of not less than £20 per year for the tenant or subtenant, be amended so that for every dwelling of whatever value, there be only one residential vote (man and his •wife), bemg the persons to whom the house is let-by the owner or ratepayer." ■The mover stated that at present there iwas great abuse of the law ; some families had as many as nine votes, classifying their^ children ab lodgers, paying so much a week rent. He would suggest either the Parliamentary roll or the present motion as a .reform. Mr. C. E.'Madiay (Wanganui) moved an amendment in favour of making the Parliamentary rqlhthe basis of municipal franchise. The amendment was carried by 33 votes to 30^ CONSTITUTION OF COUNCIL. -' Mr. Thos. Pettit (Nelson) moved That an election of one-third of the council take 4 place annually, instead of the full number being elected every two years, as at present. " Speaking to the motion, the Hon. John Barr (Sumner) said this wouia mean a new enthusiasm in ' municipal .politics, if carried. In older countries there was more enthusiasm; here there •was apathy. He believed incidentally in 'candidates for the council taking the public platform., The motion was lost on the voices.! Mr. Aldridge (Taihape) moved : That with, a view to a more economical and: efficient administration of boroughs, theterm of office for councillors shall beJhree years. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder, . •COUNCILLOR ELECTED MAYOR. On the motion of Mr. W. A. Ott (InvercargiS^, it was decided that when a councillor is eiected Mayor of the borough, that he do allowed to retain his seat at the council table until his installation as Mayor. At tbist stage the conference adjourned^ until 2.30 -p.m.