COUNTY COUNCILS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 154, 1 June 1937, Page 9

COUNTY COUNCILS

AMALGAMATION SCHEMES. FURTHER INFORMATION DESIRED. Following a discussion which lasted several hours, the conference of county council delegates in Palmerston North yesterday passed a resolution protesting against the compulsory clauses in the Local Bodies (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill unless further information on the point can be produced by the Alinister (Hon. AV. E. Parry). It was also decided to invite the Minister to visit Palnlerton North to meet county representatives and outline the amalgamation proposals as they apply to this district. The meeting was - not open 'to the Press, and when approached by a “Standard” reporter afterwards, Or AV. E. Barber, chairman of the Alnnawatn County Council, who presided, stated that he had nothing to add'. “AA r e had a very full and free discussion,” was his only comment.

The full text of the resolutions is as follows:

“(1) That this conference of county councils invites the Alinister of Internal Affairs to meet representatives of the following counties:-—Kairangn, Hutt, Makara, Pohangina, Horowhenua, Oroua, Xiwitea, and Alanawatu, at Palmerston North to hear and discuss proposals of the department in respect of amalagamation of local bodies in this district.”

“(2) That the Alinister bo informed that unless further information than has already been disclosed is submitted by the department in respect of advantages to be gained, this conference is emphatically opposed at this stage to compulsory amalagamation as the ultimate proposals of the present Bill.” Those present were:—Ors D. Collis, J.-Smith and J. Batcholar (Kairanga), Cis A\ r . E. Barber, J. H. Perrett ami J. Boyce (Alanawatu), Crs A. Campbell and J. McLennan (Oroua), Crs S. J. Strnhan, A\ r . Howell and W. AleKa.v (Pohangina), Crs G. A. Alonk, A. J. Gimblett and C. P. Jensen (Horowhemm), Crs. L. T. AlcLean and J. H. AVilliamsoii (Xiwitea), Cr. AA’indlov (Alakara) and Cr. F. ATickorliian (Hutt). The clerks and engineers of the various councils wore also present.