LOCAL AUTHORITIES BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11690, 27 June 1901, Page 6

LOCAL AUTHORITIES BILL.

[by telegraph.—own correspondent-] Hamilton*, Wednesday. A special meeting of the Waipa, County Council was held on Tuesday at Ohaupo, to consider the Local Authorities Bill. Mr. Lang, M.H.R., was present. As regards the finance clause (93) members thought :t utterly unreasonable to suppose the country districts could tax themselves to an extent proportionate to the requirements, and stated that assistance should be assured to them. In the place of spasmodic grants, the Council suggests that all Government assistance should be in the form of subsidy only, given on a graduated scale, proportionate to the amount of rate levied, so that the people who show their need by taxing themselves heavily may be assured of Government help* the scale of subsidy to vary from 6s in the £, where a ;d rate "is struck, to 20s :n the £, where a %d rate is struck, find double that amount for two |d rates.' Regarding the voting power (clause 19), the Council do_-s not approve of this clause, and consider the present qualification wise, and that extension to householders would onlvcause additional expense. Mr. Lang said he would do his best to have the wishes of the Council carried out, and would also do what he could to reduce the cost of licensing committees and of the revision of valuation rolls. Mr. Lang was elected the Council's representative to the Counties' Association Conference. He consented, but thought his Parliamentary duties might interfere, and suggested the appointment of a councillor The matter was left over till the next meeting of the Council.