LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORK

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 9 November 1933, Page 8

LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORK

DIPLOMAS FOII OFFICERS. OBJECT OF~~NEW BILL. leiegrapt -Pre*-* Aa*‘«'clauou.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. The Local Government Officers BiL was introduced by Governor-General’t message in the House of Representatives to-day and referred to the Local Bills Committee. Replying to the Leader of the Op position, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. J. A. Young) said the object of the measure was to set up a board which would be able tc issue diplomas in local government, it was sought by the Institute of Town Clerks and the Institute of Count\ Clerks and it was ■ proposed that all present members of these organisations should be awarded diplomas. All officers desiring saibseqftnintly to become members of these organisations should have to pass an examination for the diplomas. He proposed at a later .stage to move that the Bill should be referred to a select committeee.

Replying to an 'interjection, Mi Young said members of the organisations concerned were most precise in declaring it was not their purpose tc set up a “close corporation.’’ Mr 11. G. R-. Mason (Lab., Auckland -’•-hurbs) said “close corporations’’ never began as “close corporations.” It usually happened that a board was set up and an organisation was*formed: then a memorandum, was issued stating that only members o< that organisation could hold certain offices. Mr Mason said that if there was t< be an examination for diploma® In did not see why present member? should Tv* admitted “free of charge.’’ simuly because the-v had promoted tin Bill. Thov also should have to pass the examination. He was very glad the Bill was to go to a. select committee. Mr A. J. Stalhvorthy (Eden) sup ported the view expressed by Mi Mason.. He thought the principle of the Bil was sound, said Mr W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier). Mrs McCombs (Lab.. Lyttelton) saicthe Bill had been framed with a laudable. object. As a member of a large local bodv she knew it would be a great help. She did not see why local bod— officers should not be given an opportunitv to qualify themselves b\ examination.

The Bill was read a first time and then referred to the Local Bills Committee.