No Confidence In Local Bodies’ Inquiry

Northern Advocate, 22 April 1944, Page 6

No Confidence In Local Bodies’ Inquiry

(F.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The following statement has been issued by the New Zealand Counties Association following a meeting of a special committee on Thursday: “It was decided to inform the Government that the organisation had no confidence in the committee set up just before parliament adjourned to inquire into the whole structure of local-body government. The committee was of the firm opinion that it would be fatal to local-body if the future of such government lay in the hands of politicians alone. Confidence Completely Shattered

“The confidence of local bodies in Parliamentary committees was completely shattered by the tenor of the report of the Local Bills Committee after taking evidence on the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Bill. “The 'New Zealand Counties Association maintains that the findings of this committee were contrary to the weight of evidence presented, and the organisation does not want a repetition.of such biased opinion. “The organisation asks for an independent commission which would make a full, unbiased investigation and which would make its investigation in a manner far removed from party politics. Experts Should Be Appointed

“It recommends that the personnel of this commission should be a magistrate to act as chairman, a representative from each of the main local bodies, an economist to make sure that the incidence of all phases of localbody rating are dealt with in a competent manner, a representative oi' each of the Taxation and Internal Affairs Departments, together with a nominee from each side of the House.

“The organisation feels sure that a report fashioned by men of experience and ability would prove most valuable to the country and the Government and would have the confidence of rural ratepayers.”