LOCAL BODY SAVINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 8

LOCAL BODY SAVINGS

The'system of local government in New Zealand is in many ways admirable. On borough and county councils, and especially on the latter, a vast amount of work is done with-, out pay by men who study the requirements of the localities.. Many men now leaders in political life have acquired their first experience of public affairs as members of local governing bodies. While this training has been valuable, it has also had its defects, inasmuch-.as many of the members have' found it difficult to substitute a national outlook for the "roads and bridges" mind. Perhaps that is why our local government j system has not grown with the times. Attempts have been made.on several occasions to remodel the system, to extend the boundaries of counties, and to create larger areas which could be more economically administered. When Mr. Coates •introduced the highways system he hoped that the association of local bodies in district highways councils would lead to their amalgamation for all purposes. Hitherto it has not done so. Mr. Forbes has drawn attention to the problem which was considered by his'predecessor, and has proposed an investigation. We hope that he ( will not delay the prosecution of this.1 task. The time is ripe for reform. When rate burdens are pressing heavily on landowners the conservatism arid local feeling which formerly! hindered action are more likely to bei overcome; The 'growth of motor traffic has made the old boundaries artificial, and.it has also made it possible to extend these- boundaries effectively in administration. Indeed, it has become imperative that there should be such an extension if the local bodies.are to secure expert engineering service and to use up-to-date plant economically in the con-j struction and maintenance of modern roads. But the local feeling which j maintains the old boundaries will not) be broken down unless a lead is given by the Central Government. It is all the more necessary that the Government should give this lead in order to prevent resort to such expedients as rural derating. Already there is a demand for this —a demand based upon the British precedent and which overlooks the great differences in conditions. Rural derating,means transferring the cost of country roads'from the ratepayer to the motorist and the taxpayer. There has been a partial transfer of the burden to the motorist, and this process may have to be continued..' But if it is there should be a guarantee that the added charge to the motor-user is not applied in the perpetuation of a cumbrous and out-of-date system of local government. Redistribution of road costs in both town and country should be made only' after thorough' investigation and as a part of an equitable and scientific system of transport control.