MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 March 1926, Page 5

MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS.

DEPUTATION TO HQN. R, F. BOLLARD. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, March 11. Some of the remits passed, at the last municipal conference held in Dunedin were brought before the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, bv members of the executive of the association. Mr F. J. Nathan, Mayor of Palmerston North, was the spokesman. • , Mr Nathan said that one of the remits was a proposal that to secure continuity of policy provision should be made for the election of Mayor and council . every three years instead of two years. Mr Bollard: I can see no valid objection to that. Mr Nathan: These elections cost a lot of money, and that is a consideration in small electorates. The temporary transfer of money was mentioned. Mr Nathan said the following resolution had been passed: “That local bodies be empowered to transfer temporarily to the district fund accounts, for the purpose of covering hank overdrafts, such sums so transferred to be repaid into the loan account as at March 31 every year.” Mr Nathan said that while general nermission to do this had heen refused, Palmerston North and. others had no difficulty in " obtaining it. “Give ns the power and we will take the chance with the hanks.” he said. Mr Bollard: It might be all right with some local bodies, but others I would not give the power to. Some of the local bodies would get into serious trouble, and then come to. the Government to get them out of it. Mr Nathan: So you seriously suggest that those of us who run our business well should be penalised ? Shall we say it should anply to those local bodies of over 10,000 population? Some delegates said this would be agreeable, but one said it would I>j unfair to some small bodies. Mr Natban: “Well, we will leave, it for tbe Minister’s serious consideration.”

One of the most important matters .was the direct appointment of local bodies’ hospital board representatives. The Minister said the Minister of Public Health would deal with that question. Regarding an increase in unauthorised expenditure, which was represented as badly needed, the Minister said he would look into it.

Regarding the powers to local bodies to define residential arid business areas, the Minister said: “We will give you something before the session is over.” Mr Bollard said he thought the remits were very mild. He would he able to do something for them, and ho thought they would be fairly well treated.