GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4476, 17 February 1917, Page 7

GOVERNMENT GRANTS.

SUGGESTED ABOLITION OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM. SUBSIDY OX RATES SUGGESTED. Objection to the present system of Government grants to local bodies and suggested improvements to the T stem of receiving Government assistance were the subject of a circular from the Waiami County Council received at the Cook County Council meeting yesterday. It was proposed in the circular tnat local bodies should assist the WauipU County Council in obtaining the abolition of the present system. It was pointed out that much time was spent in preparing applications, plans, specu_ iieations, and other particulars of the work for which a grant was being applied for, and in many eases this time was wasted. The delay in tlic making of grants was pointed out, it often happen mg that months and even years elapsed before the money, after being placed on the estimates, was avaiial>le• I t was proposed to substitute a system by which assistance by way of grants would be entirely automatic, and that it should take the form of a subsidy on rates, or its amount be calculated on some reasonable and acceptable, basis in which the state of development or the backwardness of the district would ho taken into consideration. It was further suggested. that it should form part of the ordinary revenue of the local body aud its expenditure be free from all special conditions. . The Chairman (Cr Lysnar), remarked that it was a very important movement. It was a very good suggestion but lie did; not think there was a hope of getting the Government to agree to it. He thought that the Council ' should sup-port the Waiapu County in the movement. Cr Jex-Blake said that in principle he was in: favour of it, but lie pointed out that most of the grants made by the Government were in the backblock districts where there was not much revenue and little road communication, flood damage and items like that. Cr. Holden thought that if these subsidies were given, in many cases a lower rate would be struck. Cr, Witters agreed with the suggestion of the circular. It was his experience that those. Councils which made the; greatest noise got the 'greater benefit. The system of grants shonld be on a better foundation. If all the suggestions in the circular were allowed, it would not prevent the Government, from giving grants in special matters referred to by Cr. Jex-Blake. -It was an-important matter and should receive further consideration from the Councillors. It was high time something should be done to remedy the existing state of things. , ~ ... 'Other Councillors expressed the disire to further - consider the made by the Waiapu .County Council, so it was decided to defer further consideration until next meeting, the -Councillors in the meantime to be supplied with copies of the circular.