KNOTTY PROBLEM.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 10412, 20 October 1927, Page 3

KNOTTY PROBLEM.

COUNTY COUNCILLORS TRAVELLING EXPENSES.

FIXED BY ORDEK-IN-COUNC.iI

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AMENDMENT PASSES HOUSE.

WELLINGTON, Oct. 19. Tho Minister of* internal Aif airs moved that the amendment made by the Legislative Council in tlie Counties Amendment Rill be agreed to. The amendment was that County Councillors travelling expenses should be fixed, by. Orcicr-in-UounciJ Mr. Forbes said this was a very clumsy wayC of dealing with this question, v It would, have been better to have placed a maximum sum in the Act itself, and allow country councils to arrange payments, according to their respective requirements. This was the old story of legislation by order-iu-council, which was not democratic Government. The Prime Minister said" the question of councillors- expanses was a knotty one, and could not be legislated on without tho fullest enquiry. This was only a temporary amendment to get over air immediate difficulty' which was being raised by the audit office, if, however, the House did not wish to do anything in tlie matter tilings could of couse, stay as they were. The leader of tlie Opposition said Ho doubt tbe change was necessary and legislation should have been introduced to do it long ago. ' iVr.serially'.he saw no reason wliy a ikJunto settlement of the question should not be embodied hi the Act.

Mr. Lvsiiar regretted the introduction of such an amendment, it ails far too wide. Tlio "ost of local Government was becoming increasingly burdensome, and soon they Would be having professional representatives.

Sir Maui Remare in 'vply sai l Hie amendment was not vital.to tbe kill non was it a solution of the difficulty but it was a temporary expedient, tie {proposed to go into the whole question during the recess and coordinate the various existing conditions with a view to bringing about a uniform rule. The amendment was adopted.— R.A. -