LOCAL BODIES

Evening Post, Issue 51, 28 August 1935, Page 11

LOCAL BODIES

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

Many matters concerning local bodies throughout the Dominion were commented on by Mr. A. E. Jull, M.P., in his presidential address at the annual conference of the New Zealand Counties' Association today.

A matter of great importance to all local bodies, said Mr. Jull, was the inability to collect rates on many, properties leased from the Crown or mortgaged to the various State lending Departments. While the Government had really no sound argument to offer as to why the State as lessor or mortgagee should be exempt from the liability which was borne by private lessors or mortgagees, they had refused up to the present to accept the liability. The executive had pressed this matter strongly, and he had endeavoured personally in the House to secure a more reasonable attitude. They had not yet succeeded. The passing of the Mortgage Corporation Act in respect to all jiew mortgages and of any mortgages which might be actually taken over in full by the Corporation from the State De-' partnients would secure the partial elimination of Crown exemption, but this would not apply to thousands of mortgages for which the Corporation was really only acting as agent for the State. " SUBSIDY ON RATES. "I am, however, hopeful that before long this long-felt injustice will be totally removed," he said. "It is only fair to say that the granting by the Government of a special subsidy on two occasions, of 12£ per cent, rebate on all county rates has been of great benefit to rural ratepayers, and has been a recognition of our grievance in respect to exemption of State liability. The payment of 12£ per cent, subsidy on rural rates has opened up the question as to whether the amount of the portion of such subsidy payable on the general rate up to i'd in the'£ should be first deducted and the ordinary subsidy paid on the balance. The departmental requisitions to county councils for dissection of the rates were so intricate and would involve such an amount of work that I protested strongly to the Department and have also taken, up with the Minister of Finance the- question of the validity of the departmental claim." . The Local Authorities Interest Reduction and Loans Conversion Amendment Act passed in 1933 had been of material benefit \ to many counties, continued Mr. Jull, and a considerable number of counties .had made satisfactory conversions enabling them to secure considerable relief in interest charges and greatly reducing and simplifying the internal; working of the council's finances. A number of councils had also taken steps to abolish the keeping of separate riding accounts under powers given by statute. The proposed Local' Government Commission had not yet been set up probably because there, was little chance of such a big question ■> being legislated, on during the last strenuous year of Parliament. It was doubtful if it would be appointed this year. SUBSIDY ON BOAD EXPENDI- ... TURE. " " ■ " '.: The Transport Co-ordination Board held an inquiry last year in^ reference to transport, road. taxation, and other matters,-and the executive, along with other organisations, gave .evidence. The executive specially stressed the proposal for a subsidy of £ for. £- in respect of all expenditure, on roads other than main highways in lieu of the present subsidy on rates! .-., . Subsequent to the inquiry the executive appointed a sub-committee to confer with a committee of the New Zealand Farmers'^ Union with the view bi- endeavouring to secure unanimity among rural organisations in respect of this important question of subsidies, and he was glad to say that after a thorough discussion on the relative merits of the derating proposals which had previously bet«i favoured by the Farmers' Union that body had-agreed to' co-operate with the Counties' Association in advocating the proposed subsidy system. The executive also had some unofficial conversations with the Automobile Association with the same object.' "I have brought the matter of this very urgent and equitable proposal of £ for £ subsidy officially before the Government, and asked for legislation to be introduced this session of Parliament to give effect to same."- . HOSPITAL LEVIES. For many years, Mr. Jull said, successive conferences had passed resolutions in respect of the inequitable system of hospital levies now in operation with no resull;. The. Hospital Association had recently formulated some important • proposals and the executive. of the association, having met .the Farmers' Union executive whoalso had from time to time discussed the question, it was- agreed to endeavour to secure a joint .conference of the various interested organisations with the view of securing • a sufficient measure of unanimity to justify the Government in bringing forward some legislation, more acceptable than the present system in respect to the apportionment of liability for hospitals.

Mr. Jull referred with regret to the deaths during the two years since the last conference of two members of the

executive, Mr. J- :B. Connett '(Taranaki) and Mr. C. K. "Wilson (Waitomo), Mr. S. Bolton, of Pahiatua, and the secretary, Mr. H. D. Atkinson. Mr. Bolton, Said Mr. Jull,; had been a member from\the first conference', of county councils, arid acted as honorary auditor |fpr| many years. The late: Mrl Atkinson served-as secretary of the association ■ from its ■■ inception until his. retirement --three years: ago. . : ■:■■