COUNTY'S REQUESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 15

COUNTY'S REQUESTS.

HANDICAP OF FRANCHISE.

VOTING IN BOARD ELECTIONS.

TRANSPORT AT NORTH SHORE. The anomalous position which arises owing to the difference in the franchise in districts combined in one electoral area was brought under the notico of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. P. A. de la Perrello, yesterday by a deputation representing the Waitemata County Council.

Mr. A. Harris, M.P., said that in some electoral areas were included counties, boroughs and town districts. Counties had the ratepayers' franchiso only, whereas the other districts voted on the ordinary residential and ago qualifications. The Waitemata County found that in electing representatives to the Hospital, Harbour and Power Boards, it was "swamped" by the other areas. Mr. Harris suggested that the difficulty could bo overcome, either by compiling a universal roll, or by grouping in a combined area only districts with the same franchise. "I realise that there should be uniformity," said the Minister. "You seem to have a very good case, and I will bo pleased to investigate the position." The Minister promised also to see the Minister of Public Works in regard to a suggestion that a licensing authority representative of the four North Shore boroughs and the Waitemata County should be appointed for the No. 2 omnibus area. The Devonport Borough Council at present acts as the authority, but Mr. Harris suggested that a fairer method would be to have a committee of seven, comprising two representatives each from Devonport and Takapuna, and one each from Birkenhead, Northcote and the portion of the county within the bus area. Mr. Harris said that Mr. Coates had promised to provide legislation to that end in the last session of the previous Parliament, but nothing had been done. The deputation also asked that legislation should be initiated to allow local bodies to refund overpaid rates. The county had a case of a man who had paid £2O too much in rates over a series of years through a misapprehension, but no refund could be made, as the Government auditor would not pass such payments. The Minister agreed that some provision should be made to meet such cases.