AMALGAMATION ISSUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 7

AMALGAMATION ISSUE

FAVOURED IF PROFITABLE OPINIONS AT TUAKAU [from our own correspondent] TUAKAU, Thursday The willingness of some members of the Tuakau Town Board to discuss amalgamation with the Franklin County Council was in evidence at a meeting of the board this week. The chairman, Mr. G. Arrowsmith, said that if it could be shown that amalgamation in the case of Tuakau would mean a decided saving to the ratepayers and still provide the residents of the town area with the municipal services needed, then amalgamation would come.

Mr. W. Barnabv: If it would save 25 per cent in rates annually, amalgamation would be satisfactory. The Chairman: I believe the bill is intended to apply to cases of a lot of little local bodies close together. There is too much government. Mr. M. A. Cruickshank: If the Franklin County Council makes a proposal, we should consider it with open minds. 1 cannot see that the public would necessarily lose any services if there is amalgamation. If there is a definite saving to the ratepayers, the sooner we amalgamate the better. It was agreed to await action by the County Council, which has decided to collate data from the local bodies within the county, including the Tuakau board, with a view to calling a conference to discuss amalgamation.

NORTH AUCKLAND SCHEME A CONFERENCE PROPOSED [bv tklkcraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Thursday A suggested scheme for local body amalgamation was brought before the Whangarei Hospital Board in a letter from Mr. H. C. Hemphill, secretary of the North Auckland Counties' Association. "It is suggested that a conference be held to discuss the proposals, and that the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, be invited to be present," Mr. Hemphill wrote. "It is also submitted that a voluntary scheme of amalgamation should be attempted in preference to proceeding by way (if a commission, which is the alternative." The chairman, Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, moved that the matter be postponed until the proposals had been further dealt with by the Counties Association when something definite would be put forward. The motion was carried.