COUNTY CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5419, 9 August 1878, Page 3

COUNTY CONFERENCE.

Tuesday, august (5. The delegates elected to represent tlis several County Councils uf the colony met in conference at the Provincial Library. The following are the names of the delegates :—Messrs. H. Bastings (Tuapeka), G. Beetham (Wairarapa East), W. Booth, juur. (Wairarapa West), Bridge (Patea), Hon. Robfc, Campbell (Waitald), Sir R. Douglas (Waugarei), Mr. Green (Waikmiaiti), Hon. J. Hall (Selwyn), Messrs. Hobbs (Muuukau), Johnson, McOardle (Lakes County), T. Mason (Hnfct County), Postlethwaite (Geraldine), Saunders (Ashburton), Somerville (Wanganui), F. Wain (Rmco), J. W. Williams (Bay of Islands), Woolcock (laangahua). Mr. Saunders moved, -That the Hon. J. Hall be .appointed chairman. • Mr. Hall declined the honor, and named Mr. Bastings, Mr. Beetham proposed Mr. Mason, of the Hutt. A show of hands was taken, resulting in favor of Mr. Bastings, who then took the chair, and requested leave to appoint Mr. Little secretary, which was agreed to, After some discussion had arisen as to the object of the conference, the following standing committee was appointed, on the motion of Mr. Beetham, to arrange a code of rules for the conduct of the business, and to draw up a list of the subjects for discussion. It was understood that in order to take joint action with the delegates to the Municipal Conference, the question of subsidies to hospitals and charitable institutions should be first dealt with:— The Hon. J. Hall, the Hon. Robert Campbell, and Messrs, Bastings, Williams, Green, Johnston, Saunders, Wain, and Beetham were appointed a committee to draw up rules, &c., and to report next day. The following resolutions were' passed : Proposed by Mr. Saunders, seconded by Mr. Campbell.—That every county shall have a right to record two votes. Proposed by the Hon. R. Campbell, 'seconded by Mr. McCardle,—That the Colonial Treasurer he asked for a return of the amount deducted from subsidies to oounties, municipal and borough councils, in aid of ho pibals and chaidtable aid Institutions ; such return to distinguish' the amount paid over since January 1, 1878, to the end of financial year. It was resolved,—That the meetings be held at 10 a.m., and that seven members shall form a quorum. That copies of a pamphlet published by the county of Westland, suggesting amendments in the Counties Act, be printed for the use of the conference.

It was also resolved, —That the chairman should have power to apply for such information from the Government as the conference may think fit. The conference adjourned until 11 a,m. next day. Wednesday, August 7. The Conference met at 11 o’clock at the Government Buildings. The minutes" of the previous meeting were road and confirmed. The Chairman read a telegram from delegate of Vincent County, Mr, Pyke, expressing his regret that he was unable to attend. He Informed the Council that ho had been given to understand that the Govern- 1 ment intended to continue the subsidy of £1 per £1 to the counties, subject to no deductions and would bring in. a BUI to throw the management of hospitals on. the counties. Mr. Saunders moved,—That in the opinion of this Conference it is not desirable that ounties should undertake either to provide or to distribute the funds for charitable aid or for hospitals.* Ist. Because it is not desirable that such funds should be raised from any strictly local source, which will necessitate the multiplication of institutions and raise frequent difficulties as to distribution ; and it is desirable that’an object in which the poorer at least as much interested as the wealthy should be provided for from a source to which both equally contribute. 2nd.. Because the plurality of votes given to property iu the county councils disqualifies the members of such from dealing with social and other questions not confined to the management of property. 3rd. Because it is always desirable that the administration of charitable aid should be as little as possible connected with the local elections, or locally elected bodies.—This was seconded by, Mr. McWhirter.

In the discussion that arose on the motion a great difference of opinion appeared to exist, and an amendment was proposed by the Hon. Robert Campbell,—That the Conference accept the proposal of the Government to appoint counties to administer hospital funds, and to pay over to them £1 per £1 for all moneys .devoted to that object. The Hon. J. Hall supported the amendment, and stated that in his district (Selwyn) hospital districts had been proposed to include all boroughs, municipalities, and iu some cases adjacent counties, a joint board being appointed to administer the funds, and where the subsidy was insufficient rates were to be levied in proportion to population. The voluntary system had been proved to be unfair, bearing chiefly on the middle classes. Proposals were made to allow the Government a voice on the board in the person of the Resident Magistrate. Mr. Somerville drew attention to tho fact that an endowed hospital occupied a very different position from one without endowment. A member pointed out that if a rate were levied voluntary subscriptions would be at once stopped. Sir. Wayne pointed out how difficult the question was by remarking that some endowed hospitals were self-supporting, some had hospitals supported entirely by subsidy and subscriptions, and some counties, like his own, had no hospital. Sir Robert Douglas thought the whole colony should bear the cost, because the matter affected the whole community. Ho said what the colony wanted was a poor law. Mr. Rolleston recommended that the local bodies should accept the duties .proposed in the amendment, but said he understood that their action would be under the control of Government, as in gaols, asylums, &c. The CHAIRMAN said he understood that counties wore created to undertake the duties' of Provincial Governments, and this was one of those duties. - Under the present system of counties we enjoyed tho best system of internal government tho colony had ever known. Ho would advocate . that every hospital should have an endowment in land bestowed upon it by the Government. After a protest on the part of one member on behalf of absent members unavoidably delayed, the original motion of Mr, Saunders was put to tho vote and lost on a division by 10 to 12, the amendment being withdrawn. Certain members present claim ad to represent more than one county; and their right to more than two votes in the Conference will be discussed to-morrow, as will the question of tho hours of business. The Council adjourned until 10 a.m. next day. Thursday, August 8. The Council met at 10 a.m. Mr. Bastings occupied the chair, Tho discussion on tho question of maintenance of hospitals was resumed, and tho proposition of Mr. Campbell to accept the proposal of the Government to contribute pound for pound towards charitable institutions was fully discussed. Mr. Green proposed that hospital reserves should be created, and said he considered that if the Government would contribute £2 for every £1 levied as a rate for charitable purposes, the subsidy would be little enough. Sir Robert Douglas pointed out that in one county there were only five residents, and exI pressed his opinion that this was a colonial and not a local question. Mr. Bhodis urged the postponement of the question. Ultimately the matter was referred to a select committee, to confer with municipal delegates. The following gentlemen wore placed upon the committee, the question of refund of subsidies under the Financial Arrangements Act being also submitted to them to report upon:— Messrs. Hall, Hamlin, Brodie, Green, Beetham, and Bastings. Mr. Thynne and Sir Robert Douglas drew attention to several defects in tho Rating Act. Other business was referred to committees who were appointed. Committees were also appointed to consider and report upon tho following subjects The Rating Act, tho Counties and Local Elections Act, and tlio question of loans. The committees were so chosen that in some cases no merabrrs of the House of Representatives were included in their number.