THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1937. FOR AND AGAINST.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2670, 15 September 1937, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY. FRIDAY. Motto : Public Service. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 1937. FOR AND AGAINST.

COUNTY amalgamation as dealt with by Mr Parfitt in an address to the Waitakaruru Farmers’ Union bristles with difficulties and problems, but certainly the Hauraki Plains chairman has made an attempt to see both sides of the case—more than can be said for very many of the councillors in the areas affected. It is only natural that opposition to amalgamation should come from that source, as the larger the unit becomes the less the number of administrators, and no one can forecast accurately who will be left “out of a job.” Anything, too, that upsets the present order of things must of necessity be opposed, and only by triumphing over that opposition can the new order win recognition. Most of the counties in the Minister’s proposition have well passed the developmental stages, and schemes for expansion of settlement, roading and other facilities can be better drawn up for the larger area than in the smaller self-contain-ed units. The roads, for example, which are being contemplated now-a-days have more of a national significance, in most cases, than to serve local residents and their needs.

One case in particular was discussed by the Ohinemuri council last week—the Waihi-Whanga-mata road. Here is a road which is practically impossible for the controlling authority to finance, yet, as a highway on the west between Waihi and Whitianga, and leading to Coromandel, Colville and back to Thames, it has vast potentialities for service to the settlers and as a scenic route for tourists. The further development of the Coromandel peninsula, such as adequate reading in the north and west, and the road between Thames and Tairua via the Kauaeranga Valley, would then be matters affecting the larger area, and be more within the financial scope of a large county. Hauraki Plains has reached possibly as high a stage of development as can be expected for many years, and except for highway sealing, and the possible provision of a stockroute and settlement road between Ngatea and Waitakaruru, present roading facilities should be sufficient. This county, too has the greatest loan liability, and so, broadly speaking, were rates levied the same over the whole area, the Plains’ share would be devoted more to loan repayment and the other parts’ share more to expansion. Naturally, it is impossible to do more than remark upon generalities at this stage, for the counties themselves have as yet made no move. If they desire to oppose the Minister’s amalgamation plan they would be wise to gather their evidence and have it ready for presentation. If it shows very definitely that such a merger will not increase economy or efficiency, nor will improve the service to the ratepayers, then the councils will be justified in fighting the move tooth and naiL If, however, a good, or even slim, case for amalgamation emerges from the evidence, then the councils will have to face up to the position. In the meantime, pursuing a policy of blind opposition will only spoil the councils’ own chances when the test comes. Without sup-

porting amalgamation, we can see many good points in its favour, and ratepayers should demand that their representatives study the whole problem P 1 perly. No judge in a British court of law would presume to adjudicate upon a case without hearing both sides—argument as well as evidence —and no county council should decide to oppose or to support amalgamation until it is conversant with the proposition.