LOCAL BODIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1933, Page 6

LOCAL BODIES

QUESTION OF AMALGAMATION. KAIRANGA COUNCILLORS’ VIEWS / The subject of the amalgamation of local bodies came up for discussion a to-day’s meeting of the Ivairanga "County Council, when the Horowlienua County Council forwarded a copy of the following resolution passed at tlio conference recently held in Palmerston North: “That this conference approves the broad principle of the compulsory amalgamation ot local authorities in the Dominion, where proper and in the public interest. The chairman (Cr. D. Gollis) in reporting that the resolution had been the outcome of the conference, stated that he was of the opinion that in some instances a distinct benefit would result, but it was generally thought that an amalgamation in the No. .) Highway District would not be ot any gl Civ Jos" 1 Bntchelar stated that Air G \ Monk (Horowhenua). had stressed that one had not to take a parochial view of things. The speaker thought the suggestions by Mr Blaikm at tho meeting relative to regional planning wero excellent. ~ Cr. AA’. G. Shannon held that the Government should take the first steps in respect to the boards it had set C Anderson stated that he agreed with the broad principle. Like Cr. Batchelar lie was of the opinion , that regional planning was desirable and would have to come. Cr. P. G. Alildon asked whether a commission would determine the position, Cr. Anderson replying that the commission would have to make the recommendations to file Government. “It might be then carefully put away in a cupboard,” he added. Cr. Shannon asked whether the setting up of 'a commission would result in a saving. In his opinion the county might save £l5O j year, but it would be paying for the cost of the commission for the next 20 years. “To me, it looks like finding a ‘fat’ job for someone,” added the speaker. Cr. Alildon: AA’hat I want to know is whether our attitude would be given consideration.' Tho chairman: AVe would have to present our case. It was not the administration of our own county which concerned me, but the collection of hospital levies. By the time we find £3OOO by way of hospital levy it eats up a lot of our rates. Cr. AI. A. Aloody: It should he on a population basis. The chairman: Yes, but we liava plenty of time to frame any resolution we think fit before the annual conference of the Counties’ Association in July.

The clerk: There are quite a number of remits to be considered at the conference relative to the hospital levy.