BILL CONSIDERED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 22 May 1912, Page 4

BILL CONSIDERED.

THE LOC.lt G Ji'ERNKENI PROPOSALS THE CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON. lUnxted Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 21. On resuming at 2 p.m. the conferenco proceeded to discuss the Bill. Mr ii. Lee (Wellington) said thero was a good deal in the Bill that deserved consideration. There was certainly much food for reflection in the part dealing with education; He was satisfied that a good deal 01 money could bo saved by merging many of the siraller boards. Mr J. l J arr (Auckland) said thero was 110 demand for such a Bill so far as tho large cities wero concerned. - They obi jected to being incorporated into largo 1 provinces. They objected to a provincial rate which may be expended forty or fifty miles away. The cardinal matter to" solve was the overlapping . Mr G. Garland (Auckland) said assured finance had been mentioned by tho Minister; but there was no provision for it in the Bill. He suggested that tho laud and income tax should be set apart by the Government for that purpose 1 . Mr A. E. Jull (Hawke's Bay) said tho principle they were seeking was identical with that which the Counties Association had been seeking for years. They had found that what they wanted was tho abolitici'n of dual control. They had an axiom that dual control should cease. Tho question of franchise had to bo faced. The cities had practically parliamentary franchise. In tho country the position existing enabled one section to dominate the election to tho harbour hoards, and other bodies. Ho suggest[ed residential and "property franchise, tho cities to work under a similar franchise. Mr J. Bailey (Waikato) said if the Government sought to abolish the local bodies, the local bodies would abolish the Government. Mr IS. LiHiton (Wanganui) thought tho Bill was too revolutionary. Mr A. Moore (Kaiapoi) objected to tho ■ Bill, as it tended to take tho power out |of the hands' of those elected by tho people, and play inlo the hands of tho I Ministers. He opposed the placing of education under the provincial councils, or other bodies who have to do with tho administration of roads and bridges. Mr Moore held that the cost would be increased ; tlie administration would bo increased, and would bo less satisfactory. The Hon. G. W r . Russell at this juncture said that Mr Moore had said that, tho dcjsiro underlying tho Bill was to j abolish tho present system of education. "I ask you," said Mr Russell, "whether, ,in view of the statement made by tho j Premier this morning, that that is a fair observation to put on record, and havo 'circulated throughout tho country. | (Members: "No.") As far as tho Bill is concerned, I might point qut that it did not emanate from tho present Government. It lias been placed before you as a basis for discission. Ido not think it righ£ for any delegato to put the matter before you in tho way Mr Moore has done." Mr J. G. Wilson thought there was not very iruch wrong with tho present local government laws. They certainly might merge the smaller bodies with advantage. In his opinion the time had not arrived for the establishment of provincial councils. Mr Schofield (Auckland) said with regard to lessening the cost of local government, that he thought the Minister could not reduce the cost af hospitals . below tho present figure. I Mr (Auckland) thought tho powers delegated to the Local Govcrnj ment Board under the Bill would bo too great. j Mr F. W. Venn (Wellington) offered the suggestion that aspirants" for Parliamentary honours should serve four years on a city, borough, or county council before standing. Mr Dalziell (North Canterbury) thought that primary education should be the first charge on the revenue of tho country. Mr J. Nash (Palmerston North) wondered whether the Government was afraid to grapple with the subject. Ho thought the provincial councils wcro quite unnecessary. Things wore going on very well at present, with a few exceptions. Mr F. Horrell (North Canterbury) considered that the discussion had been in the direction of indicating that the Bill conduced neither to economy, efficiency, for good government. Personally ho thought that many small boards in his district could very well bo abolished; not because the expenses wcro so largo, . but because unnecessary expense was created. Mr J. Wilson (Dunedin) suggested that town planning should be gone in for froir three to six miles round cities. Mr C. -T. Harley (Nelson) urged that the counties should be reduced by twothirds. Ho would bring them down to forty or fifty. Mr W. Maslin (South Canterbury) agreed with the sentiments expressed by Mr Harley. As far 'as tho education clauso was concerned, the Bill was a single tax one. and worthy of the apostlo | of the New Evangel' Mr Fowlds. It was lof a confiscatory character, and would I impedo land values to the extent of 50 per cent. The conferenco adjourned at 5.45 pan. till 10 a.m. to-morrow. This Day. At the Local Bodies Conference, tho Hon. G. Russell stated that the Executive had agreed to set up four committees, viz., (1) Municipal; (2) Local Government Board and Provincial Council, (3) proposed amalgamation of bodies; (4) education, hospitals, charitable aid, and smaller harbours. He also intimated that, the Executive had come to tho conclusion that the larger harbours must be- eliminated from the, Bill. The disension was then resinned. Mr John Studhnlnio (Asliburton) delivered tho most effective address so far, and was loudly applauded. Ho was in favour of reforming tho system. WELLINGTON, This Day. Messrs Walker (DunccUn). (Southland), aim Williams (Buller), supported tho scheme. Mr Eboncaser Allen (Auckland) thought, that, road boards should be allowed to continue They eould eventually bo merged with the counties Mr Armstrong (Wairau) favoured setting up a Commission to re frame tho boundaries. The Conference adjourned till I p.m.