LOCAL AND LIMITED

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 142, 13 December 1933, Page 8

LOCAL AND LIMITED

Credit must be given to the Government for at least making an effort to encourage the amalgamation of "small local bodies. The provision has now disappeared from the Municipal Corporations Bill—struck out, we assume, because of the objections by smaller boroughs—but it has had a trial run, and it may be accepted at some future time. Originally it was proposed that a commission comprising a Magistrate, a district valuer, and the bpcal Commissioner of Crown Lands might be appointed to report upon a proposal for the amalgamation of boroughs, and that the Government might'act upon the report of the commission. This was compulsory amalgamation, but in a mild form, since the commission would be quite unbiased and the Government would not be compelled to give effect to its recommendation. Local fears, however, have, secured the rejection even of this modified measure. The proposal certainly did not go far. It did not provide for the wide unification' oflocal bodies which has been strongly recommended and which members of the Government have admitted to be necessary. If local prejudice can block the smallest reform, what prospect is there of bringing about more comprehensive measures? The Government has promised a commission of investigation, but that will not be sufficient unless there is some determination behind it.