REMITS CARRIED

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 14, 16 July 1937, Page 16

REMITS CARRIED

FARMERS' UNION

LOCAL BODIES AND . TRANSPORT

Several remits dealing with the amalgamation of local bodies and transport were adopted by the conference: of the New Zealand Farmers' Union yesterday -.afternoon, The proposed amalgamation of some local bodies being the chief topic of discussion. . . 1 The first remit asked that a recommendation should be made to the Government to set up an expert commission to go into the question of the amalgamation of local bodies. Several delegates spoke against tha remit but others said that an expert commission could take evidence and make recommendations, and reach a decision free, from parochial considerations. . , : ■ The remit was carried. ; The conference also resolved to ask that provision should be made in the Local Bodies Amalgamation Bill for a poll of the ratepayers concerned to be taken before any scheme of amalgamation was put into effect. Other remits carried registered the opposition of the conference to any interference with the present franchise in rural local body elections, and to the Government's proposals to do away with the riding system in counties. ' ■■;■-..••■■ On the question of transport, a remit stating that alarm was expressed at the intention of the Government to cancel the ' long-haulage carriers' licences was carried. . . : It was stated that the present transport service to the country consumer should be retained, and that transport services should not be a monopoly of the State. It was also agreed that a protest should be made against the practice of revenue from drivers' licences being taken- from local- authorities. • ■