MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDE

Evening Star, Issue 18332, 20 July 1923, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDE

BATINS OP GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. OFFICERS’ GIJILDJPROPOSAL. The annual conference of tho Municipal Association concluded at Christchurch last evening. , I Mr G. J. 'Wallace (Mayor of Timaru) moved that all Public Trust Offices bo made rateable. Ho said that Public Trust offices carried on businesses in tho oidinary way, and were not in the same position as other Government departments. Other delegates expressed the opinion that the Government Life Department should also be rated for its buildings, which were frequently sub-let to tenants. —The Chairman (Mr J. A, Flesher, Mayor of Christchurch) suggested that tho remit should bo altered to provide that all buildings owned and occupied by the Public Trust Office or other Government trad-' i n< r departments bo made rateable.—A delegate said ho thought tho remit should be allowed to stand in its original form. Tho conference bad a very strong case against the Public Trust Office, which picked out. the best sites in a. number of towns. Ho thought if they widened the scope of tho remit, too much they would probably not gain anything.—Mr Wallace said, to make the remit comprehensive, it should include all Government trading concerns, but he was prepared to leave the matter for the conference to decide. —Miss Melville moved an amendment as follows:—“That all buildings owned or occupied by the Public Trust or other Government departments whose business competes with any private business be made rateable.”—Tho amendment was carried.

OFFICERS’ GUILD OPPOSED. A letter was submitted to the conference from tho New Zealand 1 Local Bodies Officers’ Guild asking for a resolution from the association approving of the formation of the guild. Mr I. Forsyth (Wellington) said that local body officers in Wellington have been unfavorable to the formation of tho guild. It was moved that tho letter bo received. The Rev. J. K. Archer (Christchurch) moved that the letter bo received and approved. Surely, ho said, no ono in this twentieth century would ignore trade unionism. Local body officers were entitled to freedom of action, and he thought that merely to receive the letter would be to exhibit antagonism to the guild. Mr H. L. Tapley (Dunedin) said that local bodies were considered to be model employers. Ho thought a guild was objectionable. Local bodies should, not be dictated to and told what salaries they were to pay their officers. If they secured an incompetent man the guild would oppose his dismissal. Mr R. B. Witty (Eastbourne) seconded Mr Archer’s amendment. Mr C, Dash (Rangiora) suggested that the-conference approve of tho idea of the guild without actually approving of the formation of tho guild. Miss E. Melville said she could not vote on tho subject, as the information regarding the proposed guild was so meagio. The amendment, was lost on the voices, and the motion was carried. The letter consequently was just received. OTHER REMITS. Mr M’Millan, for Eltham and Wanganui, moved—“ That the Government be requested to introduce immediate legislation prohibiting the use of the public highways for the purpose of establishing speed records.” Ho stated that tho object of the remit was to prevent the carrying out of speed trials on the public roads. —The remit was carried. Mr T. J’>. Williams (Wanganui) moved—- “ That section 302 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, bo amended so aa to provide that councils may expend money to support institutions similar to the St. John Ambulance Brigade.” It was essential that tho St. John Ambulance Brigade should be assisted, ho said. It was a very valuable body, and did excellent work in the case of accidents or illness. —Miss E. Melville (Auckland) said power such as that provided for in the remit was dangerous, and should not bo placed in the hands of a council—The remit was carried by 30 votes to 8. Mr H. L. 'Tapley (Dunedin) moved—- “ That in all cases where a borough council has established an abattoir in terms of the Slaughtering and Inspection Act, such council shall bo empowered to pro"vide. install, and work the plant and machinery in connection with same for tho manufacture of manures, and generally to do all the things necessary _to engage in tho business of manufacturing and disposing of artificial manures.”—Rev. J. K. * Archer said such works of f a private nqlure were operating next to tho Christchurch abattoir, and it was ono of tho most remunerative works in tho city.—Tho remit was carried. Mr T. B. Williams (Wanganui) moved—- “ That the Government, be asked to amend tho Post Office Savings Bank regulations so as to permit local authorities depositing loan money in such bank.” —The remit was carried.

The balance-sheet showed a credit of £B7 8s 2d.

Mr A. Wright, M/ 1 ., Mayor of Wellington, was ejected president. It was decided to hold tho conference annually instead of biennially. Tho next conference will he held in Auckland. The executive was empowered to appoint a deputation to lay before tho Government the business of the conference.