The Hawera Star. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1927. CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 December 1927, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1927. CIVIC ADMINISTRATION.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa. Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangat, Meremere. Fraser Road and Ararata

In entrusting its civic administration to a commission of three individuals, Sydney, one of the largest cities in the Empire, is conducting an experiment in local government which will he watched with interest in many other places. In the United States, government by commission is well established, and at the present time there are no fewer than 375 American cities whose municipal activities are - governed by managers. At a recent conference it was contended that the new system had raised the standard of efficiency in municipal government beyond all expectations, and it is understood that some colleges are offering courses which prepare young men for this field of activity. The position in Sydney was one of the issues in the recent general election, and the Lord Mayor’s nomination in opposition to Mr Bavin, > besides bringing the matter prominently before the citizens, was viewed as a trial of strength on this important question. The new Government has lost no time in giving effect to its pledges in this respect, and the Sydney City Council now ceases to function, its duties being undertaken by three commissioners. Their powers under the Act are wide, including the levying and collection of rates and the repealing or making of by-laws, but it is especially provided that no city property can be sold without the approval of the Governor. The powers granted to the commission, which have been strongly opposed by the Labour Opposition in the Assembly and the Labour majority in the City Council, enable the commissioners to investigate such matters relating to previous administrations as they may deem necessary, or as the Government may direct. The avowed object is to ascertain whether any person has been guilty of corrupt practices.

Every year the commissioners arc to furnish full reports of their activities and complete accounts of all moneys Taised and expended, and these documents are to be placed before Parliament. The Act will remain in force until December 31, 1929. During the past two years the Sydney City Council has been a very unhappy body. Very serious allegations have been made with regard to certain leases and to public contracts, but efforts to secure investigation or to initiate legal proceedings have been vetoed by the Labour majority. While no doubt the inquiries of the commissioners into these matters will be a centre of public interest, the experiment of commissioner-control should afford opportunity for comparison with the generally accepted system of civic management. It is said that the methods adopted by city managers in the United States have been largely copied by other municipalities, and it may be that the control of Sydney by commissioners will react to some extent on municipal government throughout the Commonwealth.