COUNTIES VERSUS ROAD BOARDS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 57, 27 October 1880, Page 2

COUNTIES VERSUS ROAD BOARDS.

There are indications throughout the colony that the principle of Local Government for which we have contended, since the establishment of this journal, will soon be the burning question of the day. The fact Of & meeting liaving been held last week at Carlyle to discuss the question does not, therefore, surprise us; hut we cannot help joining in the regret expressed by the conveners,. Messrs. Dale and Homer, that those who were most concerned did not evince a greater interest in the proceedings. Some fault has been found with the members of the Otoia Biding for convening the meeting.' Although we are far from holding the opinion that a repre-

sentative should shape his course, and say, like the American politician, " Them's my sentiments, .but if they don't suit, they ken be changed ;" yet the line of policy pursued by Messrs. Dale and Homer, in asking the ratepayers to meet them, is not &n uncommon practice. It is desirable that 'when important changes are about to be made the representative should come to his constituents and take counsel with them. But if he aspires to be a leader, and not a mere mouthpiece, he must heprepared to express his own thoughts, whether popular or not, and ought not to wait until they are fashioned for him. Taking that view of the question, we hardly think that the action taken at the meeting by Messrs. Dale and Homer was the proper one. They do not disguise the fact, either publicly or privately, that they prefer County Councils to Eoad Boards. Why, then, did they not plainly state that such was the case ? They are both hardworking, and, so far as we have been able to judge, conscientious representatives, and we were, therefore, rather surprised at the want of political courage which they exhibited. It is only by plain speaking and free discussion that an end can be put to either the County or Road Board representation. As we have said repeatedly, it matters but little which name is retained ; but with a change, the counties must be made smaller and more homogeneous, or the road boards must be given larger powers and more extended boundaries. That the present inefficient and costly system is doomed, no reasonable person can doubt. The hon. member for Clive (Mr. Orznond), who was mainly instrumental in pkcing the Counties Act of 1876 on the Statute-Book, sounded its death-knell during last Session, when he admitted that he was dissatisfied with the result of his work/and although the consideration of the question was postponed last year, it is absolutely necessary that it shall be dealt with early next Session. It is generally believed that Major Atkinson only refrained from pushing forward his promised Bill because it was certain to require the undivided attention of the House for a considerable period.