COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18217, 3 October 1919, Page 11

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

[Pee Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON. October 2. The committee set up by the Counties' Conference to consider the question of subsidies nnd grants in aid to County Councils recommended today that there be paid to all county councils a uniform subsidy on all general rates collected up to the prescribed maximum of 10s in the pound as defined bv section 117 of the Counties Act, 190 S; that the Government, in order to increase settlement and production in the interests of the whole community, sbould make special fininoial provision for a vigorous reading policy in the undeveloped districts of the Dominion. Tho committee also considered that the work could be test carried out by the counties concerned, acting under Government supervision. The report was adopted. Among the remits adopted were the following: That a fair proportion (say, fourth) of the rents derived from all Crown pastoral licenses be paid to local bodies for the purpose of making and maintaining roads and bridges giving access to such pastoral licenses. That the Government bo urged to complete roads and fulfil its contracts in regard to lands that have been opened for selection, and that in future it be tho Government's duty to form roads to Inrtd before offering the same to the public. t That no transfer of Crown Lands be approved by the Land Board until a tertificate is obtained from tho local body that all rates on the land to be dealt with are paid. That, in all cases where the Crown purchases for settlement purposes lands which have been previously rateable, the same liability shall attach to the Crown in regard to tho payment ot rates as is now imposed upon an owner or first mortgagee in respect of private reehold lands. That the Crown shall be liable for the payment of all rates on lands acitiired 'by the Crown for any year during" which there iB no occupier. That more drastic steps be taken by the Government to control and eradicate noxious weeds. The conference decided that tne Postmaster-General should be requested not to take into consideration he estimated revenue to bo derived from outlying or isolated districts when deciding upon postal facilities to be granted, as such method was not calculated to encourage the successful settlement of the backblocks. A remit was carried urging the Government to purchase, and supply local bodies installing electricity, with -id materials for reticulation at a reasonable price, and to amend the railway tariff so as to carry all Australian hardwoods at ordinary rates.