TOO MUCH' ‘WAIT AND SEE'

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6633, 12 June 1928, Page 5

TOO MUCH' ‘WAIT AND SEE'

STRONG CRITICISM OF GOVERNMENT’S INACTION. At yesterday’s meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board great dissatisfaction was expressed at the dilatory manner in which the Acting-Minister of Internal Affairs was treating the representations from the Drainage Boards’ Association for amendments-to the existing legislation adversely affecting drainage boards. It was strongly felt that the only way to effect the necessary improvement was to have a change of Government.

A circular from the Drainage Boards’ Association stated that in view of the futility of their past efforts to move the Government to take action, the annual conferences •of the association at the beginning of tho session might as w-ell bo discontinued. Minister’s Reply.

In a letter to Mr. J. Linklatcr, M.P., read at the meeting, tho Hon. W. Nosworthy, Acting-Minister of Internal Affairs, had stated that*the board’s representations that a Land Drainage Bill be brought down during the coming session had been given careful consideration. Ho pointed out that several difficulties would be encountered and that tho providing of a satisfactory scheme would not be as simple as might be thought. It was hoped to evolve a scheme of legislation which would be applicable both to river boards and land drainage boards throughout tho Dominion, and thus obviate many of the present difficulties of dual control. He could not give any definite assurance that any legislation would be passed this session, but the matter would not be lost sight of, and at the first opportunity legislation would be brought down. Strong Views Expressed. Mr. P. J. Small, referring to the letter, stated that the Drainage Boards ’ Association had been meeting in annual conference for the past three years. They felt that the responsibilities placed upon drainagc;.l)oards as a result of the existing legislation wore very great, so groat as to be positively dangerous to their very existence. Yet the Government had no time even to amend the Act so as to relieve the drainage boards of their responsibilities. The reply to hand was to the same effect as they had received throe years ago. The Government had had the matter under consideration then, but nothing had been done. He, tho speaker, could amend tho Act himself in ton minutes so that it would relievo the drainage boards of this responsibility. Mr. R. Tanner asked for information as to this vital matter. Mr. Small replied that several years ago tho Trcmain action had cost the board £3OOO. Mr. Tanner asked which clause of tho Act placed such a responsibility on tho boards. Tho secretary then read out clause 25 of the Land Drainage Act which states that boards must keep properly clean tho drains under their jurisdiction, or be liable for the damage suffered by the property owners affected. Mr. M. A. Eliott: The only way fc effect a change is to have a cnauge of Government, This sentiment was endorsed by several members. Finally,, it was resolved to write to the Drainage Boards’ Association requesting that the executive meet at tho beginning of tho coming session, and that they again press for legislation to amend tho Drainage Boards Act, to place these bodies in the same position, with regard to indemnity as other local bodies.