LOCAL GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 5

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

AMALGAMATTON URGED FARMERS' UNION VIEW (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Friday The opinion thai the system of local government should he continued, but that it must be radically altered, was expressed by the New Zealand Farmers' Union in evidence given before the Parliament Select Committee on local government, by a member of the union's executive, Mr B. V. Cooksley. He said there was undoubtedly a very strong case for decreasing the number of local bodies by a process of amalgamation. This was a matter which would require to be brought about by education and negotiation. The union submitted, said Mr Cooksley, that the system of local government could be improved, perhaps in the direction of lessening the number of local bodies at present in existence in some cases, and expanding the powers of the remaining ones. In many cases local bodies were existing side by side, and doing work which could be carried out much more satisfactorily, and more efficiently, by one, which would combine the several functions in a district. "It. is submitted that it would be impracticable to proceed to make adjustments in the number and functions of local authorities by direct legislation, since conditions in the different districts, and so far as the different local bodies are concerned, would vary so enormously," said Mr Cooksley. "It is suggested, however, that much could »be done by optional legislation, and by a commission, particularly if such commission had power to deal publicly with | any propositions brought forward for amalgamation of particular local bodies. "Hospital activities are an integral part of any national health scheme, and as such should be a charge against the national . revenue. The union is strongly in favour of local control of hospitals, and is opposed to the suggestion of nationalisation of hospital control, and the abolition of hospital boards. The Farmers' Union strongly advocates derating of agricultural land and buildings, except for rating for special purposes, such as drainage, where there is direct benefit only to the landowners concerned. The petrol and tyre tax should be used for road maintenance and upkeep, and rating of land for this purpose should be abolished. The union strongly protests against the diversion of those funds from their original purpose. "The union is not at all happy about the present franchise in local body elections," said Mr Cooksley. "It is of the opinion that there is a case for residential' qualification, but this should he, say, for residence of three years in the country. This would give the genuine resident a real say in the conduct of the affairs of the country, and it would mean that transient residents would be able to take actions for which they had no real responsibility, and then leave the country to find its own way out of the trouble as best it could."

HOME FOR A WIFE

COURT'S OBJECTION

When the petition of a returned [ soldier was before him yesterday Mr Justice Callan declined to make an order for a wife to go to live with her husband's parents, saying he thought that improper. The petitioner was Clarence Claude Atkins (Mr Aekins), who sought an order for restitution of conjugal rights against Edna Isabel Atkins. The petitioner was away at the war from December, 1940, to November,' 1944, and on his return his wife declined to live with him. In making an order for the respondent to return to the petitioner within 28 days. His .Honor said the home of the petitioner's parents would not be named as the home. The address of the home offered would require to bo supplied bv the petitioner. WAIKATO SHOW, DATES (0.C.) HAMILTON, Friday A resolution to recommend to the incoming executive committee of the Waikfito Agricultural and Pastoral Association that November 2 and 3 be the dates for this year's show was passed at a meeting of the general committee in Hamilton yesterday. The following executive committee was elected: Messrs P. Bremer, P. H. Clarkin, T. A. Devine, Richard Hinton, M. C. Hodgson, T. Martin, A. E. McDonald, W. H. Miers, A. Parkin, G. Paton, F. S. Veale and W. C. Wallace. The meeting decided to offer to the Hamilton Borough Council the cooperation of the association and the use of the show grounds for any celebrations the council might have in mind in the event of the early cessation of hostilities in Europe.