CONFERENCE OF COUNTY COUNCILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11712, 23 July 1901, Page 5

CONFERENCE OF COUNTY COUNCILS.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. £BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION".] Wellington, Monday. A deputation comprising several members , of the Counties Conference interviewed the Premier, and presented him with a copy

of the resolutions arrived at by the Conference. It was explained that the chief recommendations of the Conference were in regard to the franchise, finance, road' districts, town districts, and the question of rating native lands. The hope was expressed that due weight would be given to the recommendations of the Conference, ■which had been thoroughly representative. Some speakers said the Conference generally was satisfied with the Bill as introduced, hit they hoped that road boards would not be wiped out where they were working amicably with the county councils. The Premier thanked the members of tire Conference for the consideration they had given the measure. There had, he recognised v been a disposition to overcome difficulties*, and their recommendations would receive the fairest consideration at the bauds of the Government. He did iiot think the franchise proposals of the Bill were too far in advance of public opinion. Regarding road boards, he was not in favour of removing the machinery where it Was working well Turning to finance, he [eceive the fairest consideration it; could lands of the Government. He did not hiak the franchise proposals of the Bill too far in advance of public opinion. Regarding road boards, he was not in fa'our of removing the machinery where it W.B working well. Turning to finance, he promised that Parliament, where it could » (safely done, would : prefer that the local bodies should carry out minor works. He *lao thought there should be some classification of native land for rating purposes..