LOCAL BODIES MINISTER'S APPRECIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 25, 29 July 1943, Page 7

LOCAL BODIES MINISTER'S APPRECIATION

Appreciation of the attitude of local bodies in refraining from pressing their requests for legislation during the war was expressed yesterday by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) when opening the annual conference of the New Zealand Counties Association. He had intended before the war, said Mr. Parry,' to ask Parliament for a Counties Amendment Bill. He felt that they should have a Bill to clean up a large number of the remits and other Bills founded on remits from all local body conferences. The way was practically paved for this legislation when the war started, and the plans had to be completely altered. Since then there had virtually been a ban on legislation likely to prove controversial, or which was not directly concerned with the war effort or rehabilitation policy. As soon as conditions permitted he would bring county needs before Parliament for legislative attention. Local bodies had had a heavy responsibility to carry. In common with other sections of the community they had acquitted themselves well in the war effort. They had also helped with the construction of public works, and were now preparing to play their part in the problem of rehabilitation. Mr. Parry said he firmly believed that local government was essential to the preservation of the best traditions of democratic government, and the Government was of that opinion also.