MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16606, 18 July 1914, Page 13

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

FINAL BUSINESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. [From Ocr Correspondent.] "WELLINGTON, July 17. The Municipal] Conference concluded to-day. Officers for tho ensuing two years were clouted ns follows: —President, Mr J. 1\ Luke (Mayor of Wellington): vice-presidonts, tho Mayors of Auckland. Onistchurch, Duncdin and Nelson; executive committee, the Mayors, of Petone, Lower Hutt, Piilmerston North, Karon, Onslow and Masterton, and Councillors A. H. Hindmarsh. M-.P. (Wellington) and representatives from tho town, hoards of Johnsonville and Upper Hutt; secretary, legal adviser and treasurer, Mr_T. F. Martin.

In committee tlie Conference decided Lo increase tho salary of the secretary and legal adviser, Mr Martin, and on resuming heartily thanked liiin for his excellent work. . .

Among the remits adopted were tho following:— From Duncdin : " That section 108 of tho Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, be amended to enable a municipal council to transfer to tho general account the surplus from any separate account showing the moneys accruing from any undertakings controlled bv tho Council."

From Wellington: " That it is expedient that the Government Valuation of Land Act should bo redrafted and simplified, and that it should be provided that in every year tho rates should be levied on tho old roll as amended to March 31, and that no revision should, so far a.s rates are concerned, tako effect until April 1 next ensuing." . ■;.. ■'* From Marton: " That all fences that shall bound any road upon which there shall bo a level railway crossing shall for a distance of four chains on both sides, of tho line of rails at such crossings and on each side of such., road be constructed with picket or other open fencing material, not more than three feet six inches in height, and that no live, close boarded or close iron fence shall be. allowed or permitted to remain." From Taumarunui: "Tluat legislation be given effect to whereby ,a Crown or Native Land Board' shall have power to refuse tho transfer of sections that are liablo to rating by any local authority, pending a certificate from the clerk of the respective local authority tha.t all rates have been paid." *' That a partition of all Native townships be executed by the Government, „and that a tribunal (whose decision "shall be final) be set up for 1 this purpose." Matters relating to electoral reform were discussed by the Conference, when a. proposal approving of the principle of proportional representation was rejected. DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER.. THE SUPERjVNNUAITON SCHEME. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 17. A deputation of delegates 'to the Municipal Conference waited on the Prime Minister this evening and placed before him the results of tho Conference's deliberations and the "main paints of the recommendation adopted. Mr Massoy in the courso of his reply said that the various, matters submits ed would receive serious consideration, particularly from, the . Minister most concerned, Mr Bell. The superannuation scheme was prominent in the recommendations and that matter had already been considered by the Government. A Bill had boen prepared and, as had been suggested, would take the form of an amendment tci-tho National Provident Fund Act. He asked whether tho members of the Conference were unanimous as to making superannuation compulsory. Mr Luke: "Almost so. Only a few of the smaller boroughs are afraid of the financial strain." "We will do our best with the Bill," , continued Mr Massey. ."It will bo introduced within a week or two, but I cannot, guarantee a compulsory clause to-day. A Bill for licensing motorcars was submitted, the fees to go to local bodies for road upkeep. (" Hear, hear.'') As to' the other questions our time is limited this session and we have not done as much as we would have liked to have done, but they %yill certainly receive attention the session following after the elections have been, clisDosed of.''

Mr Massey promised special consideration to remarks by Mr Michaels; on Auckland representative.'* concerning the fish difficulty in Auckland,' of which lie said he bad 'personal knowledge.