More Authority Sought In South Island

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 October 1948, Page 7

More Authority Sought In South Island

IP.A.) WESTPORT, October 14./ i

Instances of South Island works being unduly delayed because of the centralisation of authority at Wellington were given by speakers at the annual conference of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, which concluded at Westport today. The conference was discussing a remit from Mount Herbert County on devolution (the decentralisation 'of authority). The president (Mr E. H. Andrews) said a separate Government for the South Island could not work, but he would like to see some authority given to Government officials to precised with important works, and not have to refer everything to Wellington.

The Building Controller at Christchurch was so handicapped that at times delays became very irritating, Mr Andrews said. A lot of time and expense would be saved if men with a knowledge of the South Island were empowered to make decisions on various works. The Mount Herbert remit was moved by Mr Douglas Cresswell, as follows: “That devolution be the accepted aim of the association, and that the executive circulate within, three months a report on its possibilities. (Note: devolution is the transfer of business from Parliament to- bodies appointed by it and responsible to it).”

Precedents Quoted

Mr Cresswell quoted instances of the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States setting up authorities to act on their own authority. He believed that the South Island should be enabled to attend to more of its own business on its own initiative.

Dr G. Jobberns {Christchurch) said that, in general terms, the remit might not- mean much, but if there was any suggestion of seceding from the North Island and breaking the Dominion’s economic structure in half, he would not support the move. Mr Creswell said that the remit made no reference to breaking away from the North Island, or anything like that. Mr G. Ashcroft (Clutha County) claimed that the South Island suffered through decisions on works having to be referred to Wellington. If local authorities had more powers, it would be their own fault, if they did not act on them. Need for More Co-operation - Mr L. R. Palmer. (Nelson) said it was obvious that there was a great need for closer co-operation between local bodies and persons with execu-

tive responsibilities. He referred to the decentralisation of the Income Tax and Education Departments. Other Government department could follow their good example, he said. Devolution certainly did not mean revolution. Mr L. J. Ireland (Dunedin) said he considered that the principle of the remit should be supported. “It sppms ridiculous that the whole destiny of the South Island should be governed from Wellington, in some cases by men who have never crossed Cook Strait,” he said. After further discussion, it was decided, on the motion -of Mr J. M. Robertson (Westport), that the matter should be referred to the executive for an investigation of various aspects. The executive will report in sufficient time for members to study its findings before the next conference.