LOCAL BODIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22657, 19 February 1937, Page 14

LOCAL BODIES

AMALGAMATION SCHEME NEED FOR CLARIFICATION CENTRAL DISTRICT AUTHORITIES [by TELEGRAPH —own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Thursday In a report on the proposed amalgamation of local bodies, presented to-day at a special meeting of the Whangarei County Council, the county clerk, Mr. H. C. Hemphill, suggested that a solution of the problem would be the establishment of a form of central governing body in each defined area. "Tho bill as at present drafted is really an outline of procedure, and gives no indication of what extended powers are to bo given tho enlarged bodies," said Mr. Hemphill. "It docs not outline what is to follow. It makes no provision for a review of tho rating and other problems. It gives no indication of the extent to which Stato nationalisation of services and control is contemplated, nor whether it is the intention of tho Government to pursue a policy of progressive absorption of tho functions of rural local bodies.

"If tho peaceful penetration which is gradually taking place to-day by the State and Stato departments is in pursuance of a policy of absorption, then it is unnecessary to consider seriously any form of amalgamation, unless, of course, it is to bo used as a process in bringing about a scheme of complete nationalisation. There appears to be need for some pronouncement or declaration of policy on tho part of tho Government to clarify the position. Overlapping by State "It would appear ineffective to attempt a remodelling of rural local government without including Stato departments which operate over the same area. Overlapping of State departments with local body activities will prove increasingly expensive to the taxpayer. Any basis of reconstruction to be effective must therefore first deal with this problem, which is the root cause of extravagance and ineffective expenditure of public funds. "I suggest that 'the solution of the problem lies in a central form of governing body charged with the administration of the whole of the activities within a defined territory, such as the North of Auckland. Such a public body would administer tho whole of the area, and ail expenditure therein, including public works, electricity, health, education, etc., with State financial assistance. At the present time probably well over i 11,000,000 of public funds is being expended annually in the territory north of Auckland, with little or no attempt at co-ordination or proper planning." County and Hospital Board Tho chairman, Mr. J. A. S. Mackay, said after Mr. Hemphill's report had been received that probably no district in the North had less need of amalgamation than the Whangarei County Council or Whangarei Hospital Board district. Whangarei County was ono of the largest in the Dominion, and had never wanted greater territory, and tho same applied to the hospital district, which had an area of convenient size. "However," said Mr. Mackay, "the Government has evidently sot its .mind to the amalgamation of local bodies, but with what purpose it is not known. I think that until tho Hon. W. E. Parry states his and the Government's views at the iocal bodies' conference in May at Whangarei it is difficult to know what action to take." The whole question was deferred until after the conference in May.