MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5420, 10 August 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Wednesday, August 7. Tile Conference resumed their meetings at 10 a. in. There were present—His Worship the Mayor of Wellington (chairman), Messrs. Staudish, Charters, Seymour, Power, Sutton, Watt, Gisborne, aud J. C. Brown. Mr. Dransfield moved,—Tint it is not advisable that the Corporation, as sneb, should undertake the administration of charitable aid, but that it should be left in the hands of an independent cnin-nittee, say, of six gentlemen, to be nominated by Government, tho Benevolent Society, and the Corporation; this committee to be empowered to appoint a salaried relieving officer. Mr. Dransfield said that Mr. Standish had some notice of motion to give concerning charitable aid. Mr. STANDISH moved, —That the Government having given no satisfactory answer to the deputation of this Conference, who waited upon them on the 314 ult., a ‘committee, consisting ot the following gentlemen -Messrs. iMoorhouse, Brett, Sutton, and tlie mover, ho appointed to confer with tho delegates appointed by County Councils, with a view to joint aid, similar action being taken by the representatives of these local bodies, to obtain payment in full of the subsidies granted them by way of endowment by Parliament since tho commencement ot tho present year, aud that such committee have power to take such steps as they may deem necessary for obtaining payment of these subsidies. 2. That with regard to the future expenses for the maintenance of hospitals aud charitable institutions, it is desirable that provision be undo for tbe maintenance of these institutions throughout the colony from the Consolidated Revenue of tho colony, iu conformity' with tho spirit and int ration of the Abolition of tile Provinces Act, 1875, and as being a fair aud just distribution of tile burden, and one which will avoid the manifold unfairness and difficulties which must arise in adjusting and appointing the costs between counties and boroughs from local funds. 3. That the management aud control of these institutions rest with Government, assisted by committees appointed by them, and aided by Benevolent Societies, and selected in such manner aud regulated by such instructions as Government may deem expo limit, for ensuring efficient and economical management; such committees to be assisted by such salaried officers and servants as are found necessary. The following letter from the Government was read : Sir.—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the oth inst, requesting on behalf of tho Mnnio'pal Conference lo he irifonnori deflnitely by the Government whether they will pay in full the tubsUlles granted by Parliament out of tho Consolidated Fund ot tho colony by way of endowment to municipalities from the Ist January, 187 S. In reply I am directed to state that the question asked was at flr-t misunderstood, but that in reference to tho subsidies for tlio past half year, these have been paid to the municipalities already, less the stoppages for hospitals and charitable aid. which tho Government do not propose to refund.—l am, &c., G. S. Cooi-ek.

Tile Secretary Municipal Conference. Mr. Standish said lie did not like to see their rights taken away. He thought they should do the same as the Road Boards in Canterbury, and ho hoped the Conference would be with him. He had consulted legal gentlemen on the subject, who were ot the same opinion ns himself—viz., that they had a good legal claim. He considered the only way to settle the matter was to place it in the hands of a legal gentleman. As regards the second resolution, Mr. Standish thought that tho fund should be put iu the Consolidated Revenue of the colony. This was the opinion of tho Conference of last year. In times of sickness and- pauperism, the speaker said, people would flock to tho main centres of population, and the burden would be thrown on that particular locality, and the money set aside for public works would have to be used to relieve the poor. The whole objection against the motion was that the Government found it impossible to get economical management. Mr. Standish thought that it was quite possible for the Government to organise economical management. The promises made by the Government at the time of the abolition of the provinces all ran in this direction. It was promised ttiat the Government would take over charitable institutions, and it was on this understanding that they obtained a large share ot support. He was sure if the feeling of. the colony' were ascertained it would go in the direction that lie (Mr. Standish) had pointed out. Mr. Gisborne said ho would like to see the discussion take place wins there was a better attendance than at present.

Mr. SUTTON said ho did not see the use ot continually postponing the question. Ho would give the motion his hearty support. Mr. Watt said he would also give the motion ilia support. Mr. Dransfield said ho was entirely opposed to the motion, and stated that so far as tho municipality of Wellington was concerned, the Government had treated them rao<t liberally. He considered that if Mr. Standish’s motion was carried, tho Government would simply reduce the subsidy. On the' motion of Air. Gisborne, tho matter was allowed to stand over until to-day, Mr. Charters moved, —That in clause 53 in the Rating Act, 1876, tho word “ four,” oceuring in tbe third line, be omitted, aud tho word “six'l inserted in lieu thereof. Also, that the word “six” occurring in the fifth line, be omitted, and the word “twelve” inserted iu lieu thereof,—Carried.

Air. Watt moved, —That the following alterations be made in tho Rating Act, 1876 ; Clause 6. That the words “fifteenth day of January” he omitted, and tho words “first day of March ” inserted in lieu thereof. Clauses 12, 13, ami 10. That iu clauses 12, 13, and 16 the words “fifteenth day of February” he omitted wherever they occur, and the words “eighteenth day of March” inserted in lieu thereof. Clause 18. That the words “seventh day of February” ba omitted, aud the words “fourteenth day of March” inserted iu lieu thereof. Clause 22. That the words “ between the twenty-first day and tho twentyeighth day of March" he inserted after the word “ siftings" in tho first line ; aud that the words “time and,” occurring iu the first and second lines in the clause, be omitted. Clause 60. That the following addition be made to clause GO :—“Except in tho case ot absentees from tlie district, when interest should be charged at ten per cent.” After some slight alteration the motion was carried.

Air. Power moved, —That tho following amendments be made iu the Financial Arrangements Act, 1876 : —Clause 20. Subsection 2 to bo altered so as to read “The balance to the county or borough in' which such revenue has accrued ; or, if it has accrued in two or more counties or boroughs, then to such counties or boroughs iu such proportion as tho Governor from time to time directs.” Clause 22. - That the clause be altered so as to read as follows—“ Revenues accruing iu any district under the Gold Duties Act, 1879, shall be paid into the Public Aooouut to a separata account for each district, and the Colonial Treasurer ■ shall divide the same between the several county and borough councils in each goldfield district iu which such revenue has accrued, iu the proportion of the amount of tho gold produced iu each county and borough, and that a return be made to each county or borough council of tho gold duty brought to account.”

These were also carried, with very slight alterations.

Mr. Brett moved, —That the Government bo asked, Are Sinking Fund Commissioners to take over any sinking funds and securities at tho time of tho Alunicipal Corporations Act, 1876, coming into force; ride clause 101. This was also carried, when tho Conference adjourned until this morning.

Thursday, August 8. The Conference resumed their sittings iu ths Council Chamber at 10.30 a.m. Present— Messrs. J. C. Brown (in the chair), Standish, Murray, Sutton, Power, Watt, Gisborne,-Char-ters, Moorhonse, and Thompson. Air. Standish moved, —That boroughs or districts desirous of joining a borough shall not be liable for any special loan rate expended other than for a gas or water supply, for which they are to bo liable as soon as supplies are available to them, or if they are within a hundred yards of any main or gaspipe.— Carried.

■Mr. Standisu moved,—That a committee, consisting of Messrs. Moorhouse, Brett,-Sut-ton and the mover, bo appointed to confer with the delegates appointed by the county councils, with a view to joint and similar action being' taken by the representatives of fcheso local bodies, to obtain payment in full of the subsidies grdnted by Parliament to them by way of endowment since the commencement of the present year ; and that this committee have power to take such steps us they may deem necessary for obtaining payment of these subsidies, Mr. Staudish said that his motion had been postponed for the purpose of getting a bettor attendance. He understood that the secretary had distributed the order paper amongst the members of the Conference, and he was very sorry indeed to see so poor an attendance, lie, thought now it was hopeless to adjourn the question for the purpose of obtaining a larger attendance. The

questions were of very great importance, and of great public interest, and questions which were being agitated throughout the colony. Ho was sorry that the motions had fallen to his lot, ns he would sooner have seeu them in the hands of a more experienced person. Tlu principle involved in the first resolution, Mr. Stancllsh said, was simply as follows :—The Parliament granted a sum of money for a specific purpose, now the question was whether tho Government could hold back that grant. Me was sorry that the Mayor of Wellington did not support the resolutions. He (Mr. Standish) could however well understand why the city of Wellington did not support them. They were rich in endowments and Government grants. The seat of Government being there, they bad received great things from them, and might expect to receive a good deal move. There were Bills now before the House which would affect the city of Wellington, and he could well understand why the Mayor did not support the motion, but Mr. Standisli said every borough was not placed on the same footing, and could not act in the same way. He thought that the reason advanced by the Mayor of Wellington for nut voting for the motion was neither a very sound nor logical one. The Parliament considered when they passed this vote that they were in a position to pay. The Financial Statement just delivered showed that Parliament was in a better position than when the vote was passed. He did not believe in humbly submitting, and being deprived of their rights. He considered their claim was sound, legal, and equitable, and he .hoped the Conference would take a decided stand in the matter and have it settled one way or the other. Mr. Charters seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. SjAtfDlsu moved, —That with regard to the future expenses for the maintenance of hospitals and charitable institutions, it is desirable that provision be made for the maintenance of the*e institutions throughout the colony, in conformity with the .spirit and intention of the Abolition of Provinces Act, 1875, from the Consolidated Revenue of the colony, and as being a fair and just distribution of the burden, and one which will do away with the manifold unfairness an I difficulties which must arise in adjusting and apportioning the amounts between counties and boroughs from local funds. In speaking to the motion, Mr. Standish remarked that the Conference did not intend to dictate to Parliament. They merely wished to make suggestions in the direction that it was deemed wise for the Legislature to move. With regard to finding funds for. the maintenance of these institutions, he considered that there should be one source of uniform revenue. If they were left to local bodies to support, Mr. Standish thought it would create great hardships in times of sickness.

Mr. Moorhousb seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Air. Standish moved, —That the management and‘control of hospitals and charitable institutions should rest with the Government, assisted by committees appointed by them, aided by benevolent societies, and selected iu such manner and regulated by such instructions as the Government may deem expedient for ensuring efficient and economical management ,* these committees to be assisted by such salaried officers and servants a? are found necessary.—Carried.

The Conference then adjourned until next day (Fridayh