LOCAL BODIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 14

LOCAL BODIES

AMALGAMATION ISSUE \ COUNTIES' ATTITUDE STATED REQUEST FOR ' FULL INQUIRY [iJV TELEORAI'H —I'BESS ASSOCIATION"] "WELLINGTON, Thursday In tlio opinion of the New Zealand Counties' Association the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill should be held tip until a thorough inquiry has been held. The biennial conference of the association, which yesterday morning listened to an address on the bill from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. K. Parry, last night unanimously adopted the following recommendations of a, sub-coinmit-teo set up to consider the proposals:— " (1) Before the proposed bill is proceeded with it would be of far-reaching advantage if a thorough inquiry were held with a view to ascertaining what functions can best be discharged by the national Government, what can best be carried out by local government, and how the framework of local government could best he constructed to discharge such functions. The inquiry should define and co-ordinate national government activity where it cuts across local government activity; and report on the effect of dual control brought about by the State taking control of portion of the highways. " (2) This conference respectfully urges the Minister to hold up the bill until such inquiry has been held and a report made available. " (3) Subject to the foregoing we support amalgamation whenever it can be shown that it will secure a reduction in expenditure and/or increased efficiency. We add that in the ent of any scheme for amalgamation being propounded at any time the onus of proving it will be advantageous shall rest definitely oil those who propound such a scheme " " I feel that our recommendations will carry a great deal of weight. In fact, I believe the Government will give way to our wishes," said the president, Mr. C. J. Talbot. A remit urging that the proposed legislation should be amended- to provide for a poll of ratepayers before any amalgamation scheme was put into effect was referred to the OXCCUtnc 101 action later if thought necessary.

TRANSPORT MONOPOLY CONFERENCE'S FEARS RATES ON STATE HOUSES [by TKLEGIUrH —PHKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Thursday A possible Governlffont monopoly of transport is viewed w\th serious concern, according to a remit agreed to by the New Zealand Counties' Association Conference. The opinion was expressed that such a monopoly would not be in the best interests of the country as a whole. It was resolved that where the Government has established or proposes to establish a State housing scheme in a county area, it should be responsible for the payment of rates to the county council concerned, (a) between the time of taking over the land and the erection of the houses, and (b) in the same proportion after the erection of houses as it is proposed to allow boroughs.

FIXED INTEREST RATE INABILITY TO RAISE MONEY GOVERNMENT FUND PROPOSED [by TELEGRAPH —rRF.S9» association] "WELLINGTON, Thursday Concern at the inability of local bodies to raise loans at the rates fixed bv the Loans Board was expressed at the Counties' Conference to-day, and the report of a committee which considered remits was adopted. This report was to the effect that in view of considerable difficulty being experienced in raising money at the 3} per cent prescribed, and that Government institutions have been unable to provide these funds, the Government bo requested to provide a fund from which the adequate requirements of local bodies might bo found at the statutory rate.