Standardising By-Laws

Northern Advocate, 30 August 1938, Page 8

Standardising By-Laws

•‘.Tn view of the strong mid numerous representations from local bodies and public authorities throughout the Dominion, an active programme of standardisation of local body by-laws has been instituted.” states the annual report of the New Zealand Standards' Institute for the year 1937-

"In making these submissions those concerned have stressed the general loss and handicap that results from the existing position. A number of local authorities have pointed out that their by-laws have not been revised over periods extending from fifteen to fifty years, with the result that ■ they are somewhat obsolete. Others have intimated that they are withholding revision or compilation of a new set of by-laws pending the issue of the standard provisions.

“In support of its representation one small local body emphasises that the preparation and printing of ,a set of by-laws for its own use would involve considerable cost, and that this cost, multiplied by the number of other local bodies similaidy placed, would be avoided by the issue of a general set which could bo adapted to local requirements of a detailed nature. Extensive Subject. “Again, it has been stressed by other local authorities that it is not unusual to find the use of identical equipment compulsory in one locality yet prohibited in an adjacent district. This, it is pointed out, causes confusion to contractors and artisans; duplication of work and expense in preparing specifications, and heavy duplication of the stocks of supplies. It .also handicaps transfer of supplies and incurs heavy capital and obsolescence charges on reserve stocks and stores.

“Good progress has been made up to the present in response to the representation received from local body interests, particularly in regard to the development of standards for building construction. A complete survey of the work necessary for the undertaking has been made, including a comprehensive plan of the divisions into which it will fall and the committees to which the various projects will be delegated have been drawn up as a guide for future activity. A number of new committees have been instituted and are at present engaged in the development of relevant standard specifications —the projects so treated having been indicated in earlier sections of the report. ; Uniform Provisions. “It is intended that each separate section of the work should be issued as it is completed to enable the local bodies to derive the benefits of the uniform provisions, within the limits of their application to varying local conditions and requirements, by progressive stages, until a comprehensive set of by-laws is available providing for the use of the most suitable and uniform equipment and materials. “The subject is so extensive and diverse that it is not possible to make any adequate statement of the range of equipment, material, practices, and conditions which must be incorporated before the work is complete.”