LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1933, Page 12

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

COMING INQUIRY

MR. COATES'S STATEMENT

The point that the time was opportune when a complete and impartial survey into local government in New Zealand could be carried out was stressed by the Acting-Prime Minister (the Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates) when speaking as a guest at the Counties' Association luncheon yesterday.

Mr. Coates emphasised the burden of charges on New Zealand's main industry—farming—and said it was a duty see that results of government were effective and as economic as they could possibly be. There was room for elimination of quite a number of minor local authorities. He and his colleagues had been discussing the question of local body government! for the last three or four months. The Prime Minister had suggested that on a suitable occasion there should "bo ■ an examination, and Mr. Coates said that in a very short while he hoped he would be able to reveal the form the inquiry would take. It would not be long delayed now.

Mr. Coatos said he realised the splendid work performed by local bodies throughout New Zealand. Their task had not been an easy one, Tnore particularly during the last two or three years when extraordinary difficulties had presented themselves. He was of the opinion that now was the time, to make a calm purvey of the general situation. The plain fact of the matter was that New Zealand depends almost entirely upon its farming industry, and tho fixed charges that fell upon the land were in excess of a reasonable relation to the return that came- from, the land. He did not agree with those who said that total derating was possible. The whole subject hadlo be approached with reason and practical common sense. It was not practicable for the central Government to carry all those charges, nor was it practicalbe for the user to bear them; but that there should be relief was beyond all question. The question arose as to tho manner of carrying out an examination and getting a quick lino through some of the conflicting elements that bore on the question of fixed charges. In such an examination they had to take into consideration the localities concerned. It would be worth while considering whether amalgamation was possible as it might lead to economies and better administration.

Mr. Coates asked 'all concerned to take tho broadest view possible. Theso were days when they had to cut their coat according to their cloth. The farmers had been, faced with an almost despairing position, but in the midst of all their troubles had shown wonderful pluck. "You can't kill tho spirit of our- men and women," said Mr. Coates, amidst applause. "It is the will to carry on that will see us through our difficulties. I would say that a calm survey of the situation today discloses a trend definitely moro encouraging than, has been tho case for some time past.

"Wo can talk with a 1.1.U0 more confidence than wo could a short time ago. Prices seem to bo moving in tho right direction, although not as quickly as we would like, but tho general tone looks much better, if we survey tho factors that affect us outside New Zealand.'*