LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Evening Post, Issue 12, 14 July 1936, Page 11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

MINISTER AT THAMES

AMALGAMATION POLICY

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.!

THAMES, This Day.

The Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs, arrived at Thames from Franktou before noon. He was met on his arrival by Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., Thames, and welcomed to the town by the Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor.

The Minister received a large deputation of ratepayers advocating amalgamation of the Borough Council with the Harbour Board. Replying, he stated that a Bill was almost finalised to bring before Cabinet for amalgamation of local body government. 'His visit would be an attempt to bring about a settlement of difficulties in the district. The present scheme of local body government might have been in order in 1846, but was not fit for 1936. There was need for reorganisation and doing away with obsolete methods. A grouping of bodies would do away' with excess expense. The policy of the Government was to reorganise and readjust these matters.

The Minister later conferred with the borough advisory committee and this afternoon will confer with the Harbour Board. Then he will meet both bodies conjointly.