TOO MANY!

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXV, Issue 12962, 10 September 1936, Page 7

TOO MANY!

LOCAL BODIES IN N.Z. PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. COMING LEGISLATION. VOLUNTARY FIRST, AND THEN COMPULSION. ■ (Press Association). WELLINGTON, Sept. 9. An important Bill providing for tlie amalgamation of local bodies, will shortly be introduced into the House of Representatives. Preliminary consideration of the measure was given at a Government caucus to-day. The Bill will provide the machinery necessary to bring about a reduction i.i the number of local bodies throughout New Zealand. Local' authorities will be given the opportunity of effecting amalgamation voluntarily, but. power will be taken by the. Government to compel them to do so if neces-. sary. To this end, provision js made f ■; the setting up of a commission to consider the position of various local bodies, and to make recommendations to the Government. It should he made plain, however, that the commission wil not be called upon to define a policy, but merely to give, effect- to the Government’s wishes within the machinery provided in the Bill. The measure will have general application, and will not apply to particular districts where there has already been an agitation for amalgamation. The object of the proposed legislation, which null he; in charge of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W E. Parry, is not to reduce the powers of local authorities, ’but to cor.solidate the present system of local body government, and possible increase of their powers. After its introduction the Bill will be referred to the Local Bills .Committee, in order to permit of representations being made by local body organisations.