TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16597, 21 July 1917, Page 8

TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT

FEWER BODIES SUGGESTED.

VIEWS OF THE MAYOR

The opinion expressed by the Minister for Public Works to the effect that the country is suffering from a multiplicity of small local bodies is endorsed by the Mayor of Auckland.

In a statement yesterday, Mr. Gunson said the large number of borough and county councils and road boards in the Dominion militated greatly against efficient administration. The" consolidation of there small bodies into larger, stronger, and more effective bodies wc ;ld bo to the public advantage. The principal had been fostered, as far m the City Council was concerned, for some years. Ho referred to the progress that had" been made in the development of the Greater Auckland scheme. Mr. Gunson said he hoped that Mr. Eraser's views would receive general support. Referring to the financial aspect of the question, the Mayor said many local bodies, with increasing responsibilities, found it impossible to undertake any permanent or extensive improvement "works out of revenue. The most that their revenue could -Jo was to defray administrative and maintenance charges, and provide interest and sinking funds on the loans. " A borrowing policy." he added, "is absolutely sound, provided duo provision is made for interest and sinking funds which, in the of cases, whilst imposing no undue strain upon the finances, enables public facilities that otherwise would be impossible to be obtained. The stronger and more efficient local bodies become—and a reduction in their number will contrbute to that end— the more satisfactory will their financial position become."