BADLY RECEIVED

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 9

BADLY RECEIVED

COMMISSION PROPOSAL

MERGING OF COUNTIES

• (Special to the "Evening Post.'"1 MASTERTOX, This Day. When reporting upon the business transacted at the Counties' Conference, Mr. W. I. Armstrong,, chairman of the Masterton County Council, speaking at a meeting- of. the council yesterday on tho proposed amalgamation of counties, said a recommendation had' been passed that a commission of investigation bo set up to go thoroughly into- the whole matter. If appointed, a commission would be able to form a true idea as to c.osts and what benefits would accrue. The commission would go alt over the country taking evidence. It would not, confine its attention to any one special' | case. i Councillor G. Moore:. Can. you tell me, Mr. Chairman, what this, conunisi sion will cost? Mr. Armstrong: JS To., Councillor Moore: It will cost thousands of pounds. Mr. Armstrong: It will be* money well spent. Councillor Moore: We are spending a terrible lot of money on commissions today. Councillor J. W. Colquhoun: Everything, is being .done by commissions.. Councillor Moore.- It is: a form of extravagance that we cannot afford. Iv view of tho faei that they had been carrying on smoothly for years and that times were so hard, Councillor Colquhouu said, the- timo was not opportune to spend money on a commission for tho purpose suggested. There had been far too many commissions and more- often than not the commission's report was turned down. Whatever course the commission might favour, Mr. Armstrong: observed, amalgamation could not be made compulsory. A councillor: Members, in the- House would be frightened to vote, for tho measure. Councillor J. W. A. Falloon said that the appointment of a commission would be a sheer waste of money. If there was to be amalgamation it would have to bo compulsory if it was going to do any good. After some further criticism by councillors of "these futile, commissions," Mr. Armstrong said: Call it a committee of inquiry if you like. , Councillor Moore; I am fed up with these commissions. That's, haw I feel about it.. The discussion was not carried any further. "■' ■■