LOCAL GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21554, 27 July 1933, Page 11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

inquiry into system ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY t ASSURANCE BY MR. COATES [by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A complete inquiry in tho near future into local body government in New Zealand was foreshadowed by tho acting-Primo Minister, Rt. Hon.' J. G. Coates, in an address at the Counties' Conference luncheon to-day. Mr. Coates said he was deeply sensible of tho splendid work performed by local bodies throughout New Zealand. Thoir task had not been an easy one, more particularly during tho last two or three years, when extraordinary difficulties presented themselves. Toil ay it was more necessary than ever that there should be a general survey of tho wholo position., Ho and his colleagues were of opinion that now was tho time to survey calmly the general situation in order to make certain the present system of administration was aS r ? ® c ' ail d .economical as possible. There were those who contended the prosent method was satisfactory, while others believed a readjustment could be brought about with advantago to the taxpayer. The plain fact of tho matter was that New Zealand was almost entirely dependent upon tho farming industry. Fixed charges fell upon tho land in oxcess of a reasonable relation to tho return from tho land itself. The Minister did not agree with those who held that total derating was possible. "We must approach the subject with reason and with practical common sense," ho said. "It is not practicable for tho general Government to shoulder all these charges, nor is it practicable for the user to bear the whole load, but that relief is necessary is beyond all doubt. Tho question is how to carry out an examination that will reconcile tho conflicting interests and arrive at a definite understanding. Wo must givo open consideration to the facts as they exist and take into account also the views of the localities concerned, but I would imagine that there is room for the elimination of quite a number of minor local authorities, such as drainage boards, rabbit boards, and even possibly town boards." Mr. Coates said lie thought it would bo worth while considering whether amalgamation in some cases was not possible. During the last three or four months he and his colleagues had given a lot of time to the problem and within a short time he hoped to be able to make a definite announcement as to the form the inquiry would take. Tho inquiry would not be long now. "Perhaps I am saying too much," ho added. "I don't know. I have been told that I have least to expect from tho public when they got a chance, but that puts me in a happy position. (Laughter.) I can at least say what I think, as 1 have nobody to please." (Renewed laughter.)

COUNTY AMALGAMATIONS * ATTITUDE OF CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO REPORT [BT TEL i".GRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, "Wednesday Reversion to. a larger and stronger type of county, as was originally contemplated when the local government reformers of 1876 set about their task, was put forward as a possible basis of local government reform bj\the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. J. A. Young, when addressing the Counties' Association conferenco to-day. The Minister said there were 125 operative counties, with a large number of subsidiary boards, and there were nearly 700 local bodies for a population of a million and a-lialf. This seemed excessive, and it was not surprising that there was an incessant demand for local government reform. There was no question, continued Mr. Young, that the basis of the reform lay in the direction of reverting to the larger and stronger typA of county originally contemplated, and ho felt confident that the delegates would adopt a broad outlook by endeavouring to secure for county council government the high position it should occupy in the sphere of local administration and would not bo hampered by the particular aspirations of the special localities they were representing. .Reference to amalgamation of local bodies was made also by the. president, Mr. A. E. Jull. In his address, he dealt comprehensively with the present position. He pointed out that, whereas there were <'32o road boards 50 years ago, tliero were now only 18. There were 125 counties, 27 dependent town boards, 58 drainage boards, 43 river boards, 49 rabbit boards, which, with tho road boards added, made a total of 320 rural bodies. This was precisely tho number of road boards alone which were in operation in 1883. Tho counting of rabbit boards as local bodies was useful to those wishing to build up a big total, but, as they operated only for! ono purpose, and the total administrative costs of 49 boards was only £.'3000 a year, they were quite, negligible as far as rural bodies i were concerned. The rural local body debt in 1931' was £8,884,863, and tho total annual charge was £020,024, while tho capital value of counties was £343,017,269. So rural indebtedness was only about 2i per cent of tho capital valuo. He was pleased to say that, as a result of circulars sent out to county councils, there appeared to bo a readiness to consider an amalgamation scheme, but it appeared there was a desire to have j some outside commission set up to j make appropriate representations. The conference showed general agreement that amalgamation must come in connection with local bodies, i and resolved to set up a committee to | report on amalgamation of counties.