MUNICIPAL MATTERS DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 28, 1 August 1912, Page 7

MUNICIPAL MATTERS DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER

RECOMMENDATIONS APPRECIATED. A large deputation from tho Municipal Conference waited on the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F.'Massey) at noon to-day in Parliamentary Buildings. Tho Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. H. D. Bell, K.C.) was also present. The President of the Conference (Mr. D. M'Laren) detailed the various recommendations in regard to municipal administration which the Conference had to bring under the notice of the Minister as the result of its deliberations. Among the large number of points enumerated were the regulation of motor traffic and the registration of cars and other motor vehicles, the collection of rates, and other suggested amendments to facilitate municipal finance. Mr. M'Laren, in brief, summarised the resolutions of the conference, already published in The Post's report of its proceedings. He felt sure that the interests of municipal government would receive the full consideration of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet. Mr. H. Holland (Mayor of Christchurch) congratulated the Prime Minister on his attainment of the position of Leader of the Government, and wished him all success. He urged an additional point in requesting power for the municipality to test the meters of gas companies. Tho principal object was to protect the public, which in the 6ale of other commodities was already largely protected. The matter was of special interest to Christchurch, in view of the competition with the Gas Company that the Lake Coleridge Electric Power scheme would have to meet. He hoped the Go-vernment would assist tne municipalities in securing that the resolutions of the Conference should at least have a chance of becoming law. The previous Government had largely rendered the efforts of previous Conferences fruitless b.y neglect. Mr. John Wilson (Mayor of Dunedin) added his congratulations to Mr. Massey on the attainment pf office. He referred, particularly, to that part of the Conference's proceedings which dealt with street-widths and th© opening up of blind streets by connecting links. He also omphasised the necessity of municipal fish markets, and the empowerment of municipalities to secure that all fish for sale should come through the markets, and be subject to inspection. The Prime Minister thanked the speakers for their kind congratulations. He was glad to havo the opportunity of meeting so many representatives of the different municipal bodies in New Zealand. "I may say," he continued, "that I appreciate to the full the importance of these conferences. As a member of the Government, let me say I look upon their suggestions as of the utmost value and as likely to be of very great assistance to Parliament in its legislative duties. I have supported: several of your past recommendations in Parliament. With regard to sinking' funds I am very strongly of opinion that, where local bodies have not borrowed from the Government, the Government ha» no right to interfere. (Hear, hear.) I have already said so aiid I am of that opiuiou still. The present provision is not fair to many local bodies." With regard to the preservation of agricultural land, he would like to say that he had visited some mining districts and if the land; would not pay for the replacement of the top soil, it should not be interfered with. The Government had not yet considered the bringing down of an amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act. The question had not yet come before Cabbet, which had many moro urgent matters to deal with. The question would come up later on, and then the suggestions and recommendations^ of the Municipal Conference would receive the consideration they undoubtedly deserved as coming from men like the members of the deputation before him. (Applause.)