LOCAL BODIES BILL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 2 August 1922, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES BILL

FURTHER AMENDMENTS

(From Onr Parliamentary Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, This Day. Amendments to the Local Todies Amendments Dili were introduced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, when the Bill was in committee. lie proposed to 'increase the authority of County Councils to levy a bridge rate to meet interest ami .charges on loans for bridges. At present thel imit is one farthing and this amendment doubles it. The most important is the Minister's proposal to allow local authorities, without taking a poll, lo borrow money for the purpose of providing relief works for unemployed. The Governor General-in-Councd has to be satisliod that the object of the local authority is primarily to provide employment for men who would otherwise be without employment or without sufficient employment to enable them lo maintain themselves and families in a reasonable condition of comfort. The money may be-borrowed from the State Advances Office up to 31st December, 8J23. Another amendment meets the point raised by members during the Address-in-lleply debate. It provides that a loan, raised to extinguish antecedent liability, may include the cost of raising the loan.

The House adopted the amendments with satisfaction. Other business was the second reading of the Naval Defence Amendment and the passing of the Surveyors Institute Amendment without amendment.