LOCAL BODIES

Grey River Argus, 1 April 1932, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES

No Commission

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, March 31. An indication was given by Mr Forbes this evening that there is little chance of the Commission for the Investigation of Local Body Finance, which was promised by the Prime Minister i n his financial policy statement on February 14th. 1931, being set up for some tiiue, if at all.

Mr Forbes stated that some time ago the question of appointing a Local Body Commission would be considered as soon as the appointment of the Na-

tional Expenditure Commission had been made. However, although there is a widespread belief that the time is overdue for a complete inquiry into local body finances and the incidence of rating, it is most unlikely that any move will be made to investigate the position, at least until the Expenditure Commission has presented its final report at the beginning of May. Mr Forbes mentioned, when approached this evening, as to a Local Body Commission, that such appointments were apparently out of favour with the country at the present time. He admitted, however, that the question of local body finances was of considerable importance at the present time and that the burden of rates was proving a serious handicap to many who w«?re suffering from the effects of the depression. The Government would be considering the matter of dealing with certain aspects of local body rating such as the giving of power to the authorities to remit the 10 per cent.

penalty on unpaid rates, but he said that he could not see much hope of a Commission being appointed, at least in the meantime.

It is understood that the Minister of Internal Affairs himself may handle this question personally after the session.