The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1937. TOO MANY LOCAL BODIES.

Evening Star, Issue 22595, 12 March 1937, Page 8

The Evening Star FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1937. TOO MANY LOCAL BODIES.

During last session the Government laid on the table of the House of Representatives the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill. Its object is to provide a plan for effecting a reduction in the number of local authorities, with a view to securing a reduction of expenditure and a greater measure of efficiency in local government. The object is in every way commendable. The Coalition Government toyed with the idea, but did not push it very far, realising no doubt that in the depression years the time was not favourable for such a radical change. Local bodies have done valuable work in the past, when the problems of early settlement prevented the close communication of people in extensive areas. Now under the new conditions, with good roads, motor traction, and telephone facilities, it is quite feasible to extend the administrative powers, and, where there is a community of interest, amalgamate bodies under one authority. In days gone by each suburb of this city had its borough council. One by one they became merged in Greater Dunedin,- till St. Hilda alone manages its own affairs, unless West Harbour and Green Island are to be counted as suburbs. The advantages are obvious, and no one to-day would think of going back to the old, expensive, and cumbersome system. Ample opportunity has been given to tho bodies concerned to study the provisions of the new Bill, and the Hon. W. E. Parry, in his capacity as Minister of Internal Affairs, is actively pursuing the matter. He refutes the assertion that has been made that it is the Government’s aim to end local government. In the course of an address at Milton yesterday to a conference of representatives of the Bruc-c, Clutba, and Tuapeka County Councils to consider the objects of the new Bill, Mr Parry said the aim of the Cabinet w?s> to preserve local govern-

ment, which ho declared to bo ono of the best protectors of democracy existing to-day.

The forthright methods of the Hon. R. Semplo have given the impression that while ho is Minister of Public Works there will be very little left for the activities of local bodies. Mr Parry, however, speaking at Timaru, declared that the ideas of the two Ministers were not in opposition to each other on this matter. “ The remedy for the present condition of things,” said Mr Parry, “ is not to take control from local bodies, [t is to. equip them with such powers and areas of control that they shall have the necessary finance and the will to recognise that tho problem is theirs to tackle, and tackle it accordingly.” On the broad question involved in the proposed reforms—that it is desirable for the sake of economy and efficiency that amalgamation in certain districts should be made—there is not much room for controversy. The number of local bodies in the Dominion at present is nearly' 700, which implies a great amount of overlapping. Parochialism will probably be the chief bar to quick results under tho new measure. The Bill provides machinery' to assist groups of local bodies to effect voluntary combination, and the Minister has invited action of this kind. In the event of failure to respond to this suggestion local bodies which are deemed to be suitable for the operation of the Bill will be called upon to show to a tribunal, when the legislation is passed, their reasons for preferring their present state. There is thus an implication that compulsion will follow, provided the Government has the courage to face a measure of unpopularity that would ensue. In the main the proposals of the Government are on sound lines. They are in accord with the spirit of the times, and they are dictated solely by motives of efficiency and economy in administration. These points must in time bring conviction to the representatives of the local bodies concerned, and local prejudices will be overcome by the undoubted advantages to be gained.