The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1938. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Evening Star, Issue 22896, 2 March 1938, Page 10

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1938. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

This year the annual conference of the Now Zealand Municipal Association is being held in New IMymouth. In the absence of the Hon. W. E. Parry, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. C. Webb, acting as his deputy, gave an address in which ho appealed for the whole-liegrted co-operation of local bodies with the Government for the continued development of the country. It is satisfactory to find the Minister taking this line, for there is an increasing tendency to have all tho functions of government concentrated in Wellington. Local bodies in the past have done immense service in the development of New Zealand. Their members are, intimately acquainted with the needs of the particular districts, their labdurs are voluntary, and as councils they are free from political bias. It would be a great loss, financially and in other ways, if their powers and authority were lessened. This particular aspect of the matter was emphasised by a remark of Mr S. G. Smith, M.P.. who said it was probable that this was the last big conference of municipalities to be held in New Zealand in view of the Government’s amalgamation proposals. This brought a quick reply from Mr Webb, who plainly desired to avoid anything that would give offence to local bodies in this election year.

There is undoubtedly a certain amount of overlapping in local government. The Coalition Government realised this, but found that there was so little demand for reform among the bodies concerned that it let matters remain as they were. When Labour took office Mr Parry had a Bill drafted and circulated so that ample time could bo given for a study of its provisions. The measure is called the Local Body (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill. Its aims were explained by the Minister at various meetings and conferences throughout the Dominion. No enthusiasm for the proposals was shown. On the contrary, there was considerable opposition. For instance, delegates from eight North Island county councils conferred and resolved—“ That unless further information than has already been disclosed is submitted in respect to' the advantages ,to be gained this conference is emphatically opposed to compulsory amalgamation as the ultimate proposal of the Bill.” The measure was introduced in the House of Representatives during the second session last year. The second reading was agreed to pro forma, and on the motion of Mr Parry a select committee was appointed to consider the Bill and report generally upon its provisions. There the matter rests, and it is doubtful if we shall hear much more about it in Parliament this year. That its principles are regarded with - a certain amount of favour is shown by .the fact that a remit was rejected by a substantial majority, which suggested strong opposition to any proposal for compulsory amalgamation. A decision of the conference that will bo heartily approved was the refusal to interfere with the right of ratepayers to sanction or reject loans. Quite enough latitude is given to local bodies in this matter already. It is no more than reasonable that those wh6 have to pay should control the purse strings. A remit which, if somewhat vague in its terms, has a commendable aim at the back of it urged that no permits for the establishment of factories should be issued without the approval of the local authority of the location of the factory in relation to town-planning principles. The value of these conferences is considerable, and it would be a misfortune if they were discontinued. Mr Parry urges co-operation between the central Government and the local bodies irrespective of politics. That is an attitude that will be endorsed. By following such a course reforms that are necessary will be achieved in time without the friction-that would accompany any precipitate and arbitrary action by Ministers.