OTAGO VIEWS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 15 May 1912, Page 8

OTAGO VIEWS.

BY TELEGRAPH--PRESS ASSOCIATION.

DUNEDIN, May 14. A meeting of representatives'of local bodies in Otago was. held to-day to select six delegates to proceed to the conference iv Wellington concerning the Local Government Bill. Mr J. S. Walkor, who presided, said that as chairman of the Hospital Board, he considered the Bill in its present state a decided infringement of the powers of local bodies. It would give them very little representation, and add very much to their liabilities. The board in Wellington would usurp the functions of other local bodies.. A statement by Mr Walker that the Bill in its present form should be absolutely opposed was applauded. Mr Belcher moved that the meeting approve of" the desire and efforts of the Government to simplify local government, and that the requisite number of delegates be sent to Wellington to cany out the instruction given. Mr Moller seconded the motion. A number of other speakers, while approving of local government reform, opposed the methods proposed in the Bill. An -amendment approving of t>ie desire of the Government to simplify local government, but regretting that the Bill uoav proposed did not jr.eet the requirements of the case, was carried. The following delegates were appointed:' Mr J. Williams (Mavor'l and Mr J. H. Walker (representing Danedin), Mr A. S. Ocbell ;tnd Mr H. O'Neill (northern portion of r*e district), and Mr H. M. Driver and Mr D. Stewart (southern portion).