LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT BILL.

DEBATE IN COMMONS

LONG-DELAYED REFORMS.

RELIEF FOR INDUSTRIES

LABOUR AMENDMENT MOVED

Australian Tress Association—United Service (Received November '27. y.iri.) LONDON*, Nov. 'JG.

Mr. Neville Chamberlain. Minister of Health, managed to hold the interest of tho House of Commons for two and alialf hours this evening in moving the second reading of tho> complicated Local Government Bill of 155 pages. The measure is generally known as the Derating Bill, and it is believed that it will havo an important effect on the destinies of the Ministrw

Mr. Chamberlain insisted that the bill constituted a major reform of the local government system, which had not been altered for 40 years. It did not constitute a donation to a needy relative; it was not a bribe to the ratepayers, but a long-delayed act of justice which would remove at one stroko a burden of C2'4,000,000 from the back of industries, three-quarters of which wcro in the most needy areas. The Minister said he was certain that the underlying principles of the bill ultimately would reach the Statute Book. It was a courageous and comprehensive attempt to remove tho anomalies of the local government system. Mr. Arthur Greenwood, Labour member for Nelson and Colnc, moved nn amendment that the bill be rejected. This objected chiefly to the perpetuation of the evils of the poor law system and tho Government's failuro to make unemployment a national responsibility. Mr. Greenwood described the bill as "tho last kick, which would send the Government into oblivion."

Sir Henry Slcsser, Labour member for Leeds, said the total rates in the country amounted to £173,000.000. It was useless to pretend that relief to the extent of £24,000,000, less the cost of the petrol tax, was going to save the basic industries.

At that stage the debate was ad journed.

A British official wireless message says the bill forms the main legislative task of tho present scssiou. It embodies tho Government's proposals for the reform of the poor law and of the local vating system. Threo days have been allotted for the debate, on which a division is expected about midnight on Wednesday.

Although tho result of the vote is not in doubt, strong opposition to the bill, which contains 115 clauses and 12 schedules, iis expected. 'lhe Government hopes to make substantial progress before tho Christmas recess with the Committee stage of the measure.