LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10662, 24 May 1895, Page 5

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

[Per Press Association. I WELLINGTON. Mat 23, . A deputation from the Carriers* Union waited upon the Premier, urging extended franchise in the election of members of the Harbour Board and City Council, Til* Premier said that so far as he was aware the powers conferred by Act of Parliament on Harbour Boards had been judiciously . administered. Ministers scrutinised very closely the actions of their appointees,, and had no fault to find with them. He sidered that the deputation had reason to ask that those it represented should have representation on the Board. The question was one of widening the franchise. present the affairs of municipalities and pf Harbour Boards were in the hands of* comparatively small number of people, and thousands of persons, who were really ratepayers, were not on the; municipal rolls, and were, consequently, debarred from having a say in local government. With a view to correct this injustice the Government intended, next session, to again introduce the Municipalities Act Amendment Bill. The widening of the franchise was a question fqr the consideration of the people themselves, and therefore he would suggest that the members of the deputation should approach their city members and ask them to support the Government measure. The Premier was inclined to believe that the Harbour Board's • Secretary would not permit favouritism regarding carriers on the wharf, but perhaps an injustice had been committ d by subordinate officers, and he added that the Government b%d found that tyrannies had been committed in its own departments by officials upon juniors, and he bad dealt with cases of the kind in such a manner as warranted him in believing they would not be repeated. ■'