COUNTIES CONFERENCE

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 79, 1 October 1919, Page 8

COUNTIES CONFERENCE

LOCAL AUTHORITIES MEET

REPORT OF PRESIDENT.

The tenth conference of delegates representing local authorities affiliated to tho New Zealand Counties Association opened to-day in the Dominion Farmers'' Institute, Conference Hall, Featherston6treet/

Mr. A. E. Jull, president, was-in the chair, and thero was a large attendance, of delegates from both islands. In" welcoming the delegates, "tho president referred to the facts that-tho-As-sociation had not .met during' the war period, and that tlie Government had not been disposed to consider-any important 'legislation connected with the duties o£ delegates' as administrators of local government in the counties of New Zealand. After expressing 'the association's gVatitnde . for,. _tihe*".|Jucccssful .issue I', of. the Allied cause, and; its pride in the part^ the New/Zealand" Forces had "played^"he'lonaphasisold ltha careful handling and systematic treatment needed for tho problems , left by the war, and calling for prompt decision.' It would '.be 'ai (paradox if the people from whose ranks 100,000 men went forth to war could not ■do as good work in settling the difficulties which the wao? had created among its own ranks.

The speaker then traced propossd legislation in the Lqcal Grants and Subsidies BUI, introduced in 1914, providing foi1 the setting-up of a Board of Works, with a provision for tho creating ,of main, arterial roads on tho report of the board. There had also been tho Motor Bill, but this had'been dropped for the'time being, <jn account" of the wax. In 1915, however, an amendment to the Counties Act "was passed 'dealing with the alteration 'of county boundaries, and a number of matters of detail

bor of matters of detail. ■ ' '.' Among the other matters mentioned in the report was a proposal to establish an Employers' Accident Insurance Fund for the association, together with a Fidelity Guarantee Fund for , council officers. The President was of opinion that the scheme might well be worked, ;is the amount paid in premiums by forty-eight counties for the three years ending March, 1917, was £7,058, as against claims received of £2462. It was possible that the Municipal and Harbours' Association might join in such an undertaking to tho advantage of all conoerned. In regard, to a complaint from ' the Minister of Internal Affairs as to alleged high cost of administration in. .counties, the President stated that there ■was a fallacy in some of the deductions from the figures quoted, as the methods employed, in 'keeping "accounts differed in different' counties.' It would be • a distinct advantage if a more uniform method of accounjt-kceping % wero_ force. '• ' . "\ "' r 'T-"

The • statement of I accoiintsVElibwed'; r^ ceipte amounting to;;£76?-^jTd, .and ci- ft penditure of £247, leaving.'/aScriidit; loiip> anc'6 of £520 2s _7d.'v Tie 'Surplus 'of, assets "over liabilities amounted to £1017' 12s" 2d. .. . "■ ',■ , ' V>-'W'?: ' ■ '■■ 'W "

■ ;Tlie balance-sheet:,^as .■adopted/, and* :the president accordedra/fliearty.,; vote... of ■""^iJts f6r ■ his " address.;^■(.:;;j.^%.': ..'.i'.:' ■