NEW ZEALAND LEGION

Evening Star, Issue 21504, 31 August 1933, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND LEGION

RESEARCH WORK EXPLAINED A meeting of members of tbe legion in one of the local groups of Dunedin Central electorate was held last evening in the St. Andrew’s Schoolroom. Mr J. G. Jeffery presided over a good muster of members. Mr J. A. Jenkins, on behalf of the divisional executive, explained _ what had been done in the organisation of tbe legion in Otago and New Zealand. He stressed the fact that, while indications had been given recently of some of the proposals being put forward, the original aims and principles of the legion were still the main objects. Groups of eminent men—both members and non-members —were at present busily engaged in the study of questions of economics, central and local government, and hospital management, and in every case their research was leading them along lines both interesting and definitely instructive. One of the difficulties experienced by the executive was that of keeping in touch with members. This could be done either by means of regular meetings of small groups of tbe members or by use of the new fortnightly publication ‘ National Opinion.’ Mr Jenkins outlined the division of the Dunedin”**district into sub-centres, and show what part each took in the whole organisation. A committee for the district was appointed, consisting of Dr Marion Whyte, Miss B. Williams, Messrs J. G. Jeffery, Johnston, Ivo Carr, and W. J . Sanders, with power to add to the number. Mr A. C. Cameron, a member of the committee studying local body administration in Otago and New Zealand, gave a most instructive account of the work being done by his group. This Study Circle, he said, was meeting weekly under the chairmanship of Professor C. E. Hercus, and to date had held some ten meetings. At the conclusion of each meeting a definite programme was arranged for the following night, the members of the study circle being allotted definite work to do. They bad commenced by using as a text book ‘ The Provincial System of Government in New Zealand,’ by Dr W. P. Morrell. This dealt with the whole system of Provincial Government from 1852-76, and clearly showed its weaknesses and its advantages. The system had broken down ultimately because of the _ mismanagement of certain of the provinces, when the Abolition of Provinces Act had been brought into force and the present system inaugurated. In 1876 the county system was inaugurated, and to-day New Zealand was divided into 129 counties, with a considerable superstructure of smaller districts, city councils, town boards, etc. Local bodies had increased at a tremendous rate, until to-day we had approximately 690, administered by 5,000 local body members and a paid clerical and administrative staff of 3,650. These local bodies collected annually in rates approximately £22,000,000 sterling. Mr Cameron then dealt with the history of some of the local bodies, and mentioned that it was not until 1926 that any restriction was placed upon their borrowing, Up to that time they could borrow without even providing a sinking fund, provided the ratepayers were willing. He then gave some indication of how certain local bodies could be amalgamated. He said that the study circle had reached the stage where it was studying the operations of the various local bodies in this province with a view to making constructive suggestions whereby co-ordination could be effected. The presence of Mr G. A. Lewin, the town clerk, as a member of the study circle, had been a tremendous help, as his specialised knowledge of the difficulties, his- knowledge of borrowing operations (as a member of the Local Bodies Loan Board), etc., was invaluable to the circle. Unfortunately Mr Lewin would be able to give very little time to future meetings, as he was leaving for the Old Country. The circle hoped to be able to come out with clear-cut recommendations in connection with the co-ordination of the local body system in this province, and what applied to Otago would probably apply-to the rest of Now Zealand. It was a question of hastening slowly Mr Cameron concluded by expressing the hope that other study circles would be formed. If any group was interested in local body affairs, he felt sure that members of‘the particular study circle to which he belonged would give them every assistance. At the end of this address a full discussion ensued as to the study groups and the work of the legion as a whole.