RIDING ACCOUNTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 14 January 1938, Page 6

RIDING ACCOUNTS

SYSTEM TO BE ABOLISHED DECISION OF WAIMEA COUNTY COUNCIL A CLOSE DIVISION By five votes to four the Waimea County Council to-day decided to abolish the Riding Accounts system. There was a sharp division of* opinion among councillors on the proposal.

Tne chairman (Councillor J. Corder) said he realised that the abolition of Riding accounts was a burning question. Fifty counties in the Dominion out of 120 had abolished the riding accounts system. The reason he had brought it forward was that it was necessary to decide now in order to make it operative next year. The Government Auditor considered it was in the interests

of the Council to do it, as it would decrease the work of the Council office. Traffic to-day allowed people to cover the whole county in a day, and he felt that there should now be a uniform rate in the county. It would not mean abolishing the ridings for representation purposes, but the finances would

not be kept separate. He moved that a special order be made abolishing the riding accounts system. Councillor L. Baigent seconded the motion.

Councillor H. Everett said he had had 40 years experience of the system on road boards and the County Council. In olden times the Council worked from one account only, and so pernicious was it in actual practice, that the Council practically unanimously favoured the riding accounts. In those days the effect was that each riding member grabbed for what he could get from the common fund. He maintained that more care was taken by members in the spending of riding accounts. The riding system had proved successful in this county and it should not have to defend itself. It should be proved by those who favour a change that the new system was better. The abolition of riding accounts removed the individual identity. Could anyone prove that the present system had not resulted in the best value from the money spent? He opposed any proposal to revert to a scheme which had been found unsatisfactory in the past. Councillor L. M. Palmer agreed with Councillor Everett. He did not see how the abolition of riding accounts would be of benefit.

Councillor L. A. Higgins considered that the present system was the best. If the riding accounts were abolished the meetings would be longer as riding members could not deal with matters in their own areas. At the present time a riding member kept in the closest touch with his riding. It might be the first step in abolishing the riding system for representation. If that was abolished the back country would not receive due consideration.

Councillor L. Baigent pointed out that Murchison had found a two-riding system much more beneficial than the six-riding system of the past. He would support the motion.

Councillor R. Teece said the only argument against the abolition proposal was that of individuality. The Council should not administer its affairs with first consideration for the individual ridings but for the county as a whole. The chairman said he had always found councillors fair in their discussions and requests, and he was sure that if the riding accounts were abolished members of the Council would continue to take as keen an interest in their work. He thought it was a fairer system to strike a uniform rate for the whole county.

Councillor J. Murcott suggested that the matter be referred to the new Council to be elected this year. The chairman replied that the Council with experience would be the better one to judge the matter.

Ihe motion was put to the meeting and carried by five votes to four. A division was called for and was as follows:

For the motion: Councillors Teece, Gibbs, Murcott, Baigent, and the chair-’ man.

Against: Councillors Everett, Higgins, Manson and Palmer.