COUNTY COUNCILS

Evening Star, Issue 19616, 23 July 1927, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS

CONFERENCE IN DUNEDIN FORMATION OF ASSOCIATION PROJECTED The conference of delegates representing tho county councils in Otago was continued in the City Council Chambers yesterday afternoon. Air J. Ritchie (Vincent) occupied the chair. The discussion of the proposed uniform by-laws took some time. Eventually tho proposals put forward wore adopted with a few amendments. The Chairman stated that at the last eonlcrenco a committee had been set up to endeavor to get additional information with reference to the question of the formation of a provincial association. Air Lloyd explained what had been done by the committee. The - Chairman said the idea was to form an association whieh would he of benefit to the whole province. There was no suggestion to form a South Island Counties’ Association. Tie thought it would he a great mistake to split U)) the New Zealand Counties’ Association. If an Otago Association were formed and a conference was held before the New Zealand Counties’ Conference the delegates would he prepared to give a united vote on matters affecting the welfare of the province. Tho Otago , counties were in a very much bettor financial position than those in the north, and he thought a great ileal of credit, was duo to the pioneers. He would not he iu favor of a heavy levy, and ho did tint think they would hud it, necessary to meet .more than once a. year.

In answer to Mr Morgan, the Chairman said he thought, that a contribution of £1 Is or £2 2s from each council should be sufficient.'with power to make a levy if the associat ion wanted to take a case up on behalf of any council.

Mr Jack moved —"That this conference is in favor of the formation of a provincial association, and that information be secured as to the constitution of such an association.” Ho thought a conference should be held once a year, a month before the meeting of the New Zealand Counties’ Association. All the remits could he discussed, and they could come to an arrangement regarding the matters to lie brought before the Dominion Conference. The motion was seconded by Mr Sheat. Tn reply to questions the Chairman said it would be necessary to bold another meeting to deal with flic question of the by-laws, ami it was suggested by some of those present that the matter of the formation of an association should be held over till then. Mr Jack agreed to put his proposal forward in the nature of a. recommendation, and in that form it was agreed to. unanimously.