AMALGAMATION ISSUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22643, 3 February 1937, Page 15

AMALGAMATION ISSUE

POWER BOARD DISCUSSION THAMES VALLEY OPINIONS [by telegraph—own correspondent] TE AROHA, Tuesday "This bill lias been promoted by people who have had very little experience in local body work themselves," said Mr. -J. W. Anderson at a meeting of the Thames Valley Power Board to-day, when members were discussing the proposed legislation. The chairman, Mr. J. .J. Price, said that so far as he knew there was no desire among power boards for amalgamation and it was doubtful if such bodies would benefit at all by merging with one another.

Strong exception to tho compulsory clauses of the bill was voiced by Mr. W. C. Kennedy. "The most competent judges as to local bodies' efficiency," said Mr. Kennedy, "are tho people who foot the bill; that is to say, the ratepayers. It should be their privilege to decide this matter, not the Minister's." ]\Jr. H. Corbett said be-could see no objections to the bill. Everyone knew of cases in which amalgamation was absolutely essential. The success of tho measure would depend largely upon the manner in which the Minister used his powers. Mr. W. .T. Mayn said he felt that the bill undoubtedly was necessary. However, it should not bo proceeded with blindly merely for the sake of reducing the number of bodies. It was decided to secure a report from the board's manager as to possibilities under the bill.