CITY ADMINISTRATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 129, 28 November 1923, Page 3

CITY ADMINISTRATION

CIVIC LEAGUE NOT SATISFIED

CONSIDERABLE NEED FOR

REFORM,

"Without wishing to cast reflections* on any one, it has been borne in upon members of the league that there, is considerable need for reform in the city's' administrative affairs, and also the determination of more definite lines of policy for future action," remarked the secretary of the Civic League, Mr. D. M'Laren, in his annual report to the league last evening. "The league sought • the appointment of an Investigation Committee, by the City Council and such a committee was appointed. A first report has come from that committee dealing with the purchase of stores and supplies, and in adopting that report we consider the council has made a step forward. At,the same time we believe that a great deal more requires to be done. Hie hope may be expressed that desires for change in the direction of improvement shall not be treated in any partizan spirit or as disparaging past services, but that betterment of system, methods, and application shall be pursued on the merits of the actual needs existing. ■ ' "The city's financial position, showing an increase of nearly two million pounds in loan indebtedness, which debt will amount to nearly five millions when the loans authorised are raised, calls for -careful thought. Our annual charges are_ rapidly increasing, with the result of increases in rates, which seem likely to continue. This position, we think, cannot be met by indulgence in a mood of pessimism or the cutting out of essential services. What seems to be re- | quired is the service of the most expert j financial advice the city can secure I and the institution of economies in expenditure wherevei waste and loss are indicated. The league, in common with many citizens not attached to it,' is not satisfied that the city is receiving the best results from the very heavy annual expenditure shown from the general funds of the city, and therefore urges the need for continued reform in city administration." The opinion was expressed by Mr. W. S. Wilson that full efficiency would not be reached in civic affairs until more modern methods of administration were adopted through the appointment of a city manager, whose, business it would be to see that the policy of the Mayor and council was carried out to the full. By such a system greater continuity of policy would be maintained. ; The Investigation Committee was undoubtedly doing good work, but it was not exactly what the league had had in mind, since the plan as advanced had been for an investigation by an independent tribunal. He suggested that even now very valuable assistance, would be given' the committee by the calling in of an outside expert. Councillor B. G. H. Burns remarked that an increase in rates was inevitable when city improvements upon any large scale were embarked upon. Plainly large sums must be spent, and as plainly the city and the ratepayers had to face the interest charges.