LOCAL BODIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22988, 16 March 1938, Page 15

LOCAL BODIES

POWEBS UNDER ACT EXTENSIVE ALTERATIONS BILL TO BE CIRCULATED [BT TELEGRAPH— SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday Extensive alterations in the liw relating to the work of local authorities are proposed in the Municipal Corporations Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day o.v GovernorGeneral s Message. The bill is to be circulated during the recess, but will not bo proceeded with until next session. The measure contains 38 miscellaneous clauses, most of which deal with purely routine matters. There is provision that where a candidate withdraws from a local body election withiji seven days of the poll he will forfeit his deposit. lh© annual allowances to the Mayors of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch ai d Dunedin are increased to a .maximum of £750. The allowance at present - <i fixed at £SOO. Provision is made for the payment oi: allowances and travelling expenses to council officers attending annual conferences. Maximum Library Rate

Another clause provides that special fees may be charged for the removal of refuse from apartment houses or flats.

The maximum library rate is to bo increased from ona penny to twopence. Authority is given for councils or town boards to insure members against personal accident while they are engaged in public duties. Councils are given authoritj' to expend money in the erection, replacement and maintenance of buildings on endowment lands and may raise special loans for this purpose: Covered drains in the district of any local authority which have been in use for fivo years will bo deemed to be public drains. Previously such drains had to be in uso for 20 years before public ownership could bo claimed.

Another clause authorises borrowing without polls in order to raise funds for advances to property owners in respect of the cost of drainago connections.

Councils are given authority to enter on private land to lay water pipes. Authority is given for the establishment of municipal lire brigades and various provisions arc included relating to tho prevention of fire. Land lor Parking Places Conditions are prescribed governing the granting of licences for buildings to be used for public meetings, and it is provided that passages and exits to and from licensed public buildings must be kept clear. Councils are given authority to instal, purchase or sell gas fittings and equipment. A special clause permits councils to acquire land or buildings for the purpose of establishing parking places to relieve traffic congestion. Amendments are also proposed bearing on the subject matter of by-laws as laid down in the Municipal Corporations Act. 1933. Tho fact that the hill gave effect to certain of the remits passed at municipal conferences during the'past five years was explained by tho Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, when the bill was introduced. There had been no amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act since 1933. ho said, and it contained defects which prevented it from having the full power that had been intended. The bill contained machinery that was necessary if municipal Government was "to be kept up to date. The bill was read a first time. The Minister said it would be circulated during the recess.

NO STATE BAKERIES

MR. SAVAGE'S ASSURANCE

QUESTION NOT CONSIDERED

[iJY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL WELLINGTON, Tuesday

A denial that it was the intention of the Government to establish State bakeries was given by the Prime Minister. Mr. Savage, in reply to an urgent question asked by Mr. T. T). Burnett (Opposition—Tcmuka) in the House of Representatives to-day. Til asking whether it was intended to socialise the bakery industry Mr. Burnett said it was alleged that the Government had arranged to purchase bakery businesses. " The Government has no intention of purchasing or establishing State bakeries," replied Mr. Savage. " the Government has given no consideration to the question, but-1 am bound to add that I appreciate the goodwill of the lion, gentleman in providing me with an opportunity of contradicting the rumours circulated by irresponsible Ijcrsons for political purposes."