TOO MANY BODIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 47, 24 August 1932, Page 12

TOO MANY BODIES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

STEPS FOR REDUCTION

URGED

The apparent inaction of the Government in the matter of-taking steps to reduce the number of local governing bodies in the Dominion was the subject of comment by members of the council of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last night. The Dunedin Chamber wrote expressing dissatisfaction with a statement by the Minister of Internal Affairs that the matter was not likely to be dealt with at once. :

The president (Mr. J. P. Luke) expressed the view that the Government should go fully into the matter and treat it as one of urgency. Mr. D. J. McGo\van pointed out that there were about 700 local governing bodies in the Dominion, and said he believed the number could be reduced by more than half. Ho thought the chamber should support the ■ Diinediii Chamber.

Mr. W. B. Matheson said they should impress on the Government the necessity of doing something definite durinothe coming session. He opposed the idea of investigation by a Commission. Mr. C. J. B. Norwood contended that the Government should make a definite declaration that it would reduce the number of local bodies, and he moved that the Counties,' Association, the Power Boards Association, the Municipal Association, and other local .body organisations be asked'to make recommendations by a fixed date for effecting'economies. ■ ■•■■■. ■

The motion was carried,