LOCAL GOVERNMENT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8129, 24 May 1912, Page 1

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

DOMINION CONFERENCE CONCLUDES ITS DELIBERATIONS

BILL MUST BE ABANDONED

The local government conference was continued in the Sydney street schoolroom yesterday, under the presidency of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell).

When the. conference assembled at 10 a.m. it was announced by the chairman that the four committees set up the previous afternoon had not completed their reports; and on his suggestion the conference adjourned until 2 p.m. in order that the committee work might be completed and printed reports of the decisions and recommendations be supplied to all delegates.' LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. When the conference reassembled reports of all committees were in circulation,- the proceedings being, commenced by Mr H. J. Middleton, chairman of the No. 1 committee, moving clause by clause a report dealing with the local government board, provincial councils, subsidies, grants and finance, the resolutions recommended for adoption being as follow : 1. That this committee ds in favour of the formation of a local government board to take over and exercise , the functions of the Minister and the Governor in Council. ' 2. That, the local - government beard consist of three members appointed by Parliament for a fixed term of not less than five, years. That members of Par- ' Lament shall not be eligible.' That the Minister-be a member of the board ex officio; ■ 3. That this committee does not agree jwith the -establishment of. provincial councils. ' A That this committee is. wholly , opposed to the present method of distribution of public "moneys by way of promiscuous grants for roads, bridges and other such .works,.and favours the substitution of a system of increased subsidies on some: definite principle. 5. That while this committee is entirely opposed to the continuance of the' present’ " system of promiscuous .grants, at the. same time it - is- of ‘opinion that the Government should ; faithfully carry out all engagements or obligations fpr.work ß - that,, it /has ' already committed itself to, and ' the committee Appreciate the Hon; ' ‘ the Minister’s: promise in this respect... . & That the committee strongly emphasises its opinion that the complete roading of new lands" simultaneously advance, with the, settlement thereof. Such reading to'be carried,out at the cost of the general. Government. ... • 7. That this’ committee is of opinion that the system of subsidies shoulld.be regulated by the necessities of the district rather than by the amount , of rates that may be collected. That Parliament 'should annually decide what sum is available for subsidies to local bodies, 1 and should - set 'aside ; such a sum for this purpose. That'this sum 1 so set aside should then be 1 divided 1 among the local bodies on a definite principle. That the system thie committee would recommend the Govern- t ment to adopt is the one that has been ,in force for many years in New South Wales,'and which has been outlined by the : Minister in his' address. _ That this recommendation is. made without prejudice to the interests of cities and boroughs. 8. That it be a recommendation from I this committee that all local, bodies be 1 authorised to invest their own sinking funds through their own commis- 1 sioners, excepting such loans as are J granted by the Government Advances Board, and that any section of any i statute providing otherwise be repeal- I ed. (1) The sanction of the local govV i eminent board should not be necessary < before a loan is ' obtained. (2) The powers to borrow should, be limited only by a rote of the ratepayers. (3) It is desirable that increased facilities- be 1 granted for: obtaining from the State 1 Guaranteed Advances Department all 1 loan moneys authorised to be raised 1 by the ratepayers; but that, failing the advance of any such loans by ’ this 1 department, it be admissible for the * local body concerned to obtain the re- ( quired loan elsewhere. * OBJECTIONS RAISED. j

Mr A, E. Jull (Hawke’s Bay) thought “no" should be said to subclause I and “yes" to subclauee 2. Half the loan proposals would not go through if it were the council and not the ratcpayeis who had to give the necessary authority. He did not think every -loan should require the sanction of the Minister, but them , should be some limitation put on the ' borrowing powers of local authorities. The Minister explained that the clause was drafted with the understanding that the Local Government Board would be set up. As Minister he did not wish to take away the rights of public bodice. He woe not prepared to take the responsibility of limiting the powers of local bodies in regard to borrowing. It had been suggested to him as a solution that the . municipal conference and tho county conference should each elect one delegate to the board. (Hear, hear.). SANITATIO NAND WATER SUPPLY.

■ Mr B. S. Williams (Waiapu) moved as an amendment to subclauso 2:— That no loans should bo allowed until the sanitary conditions and water supply of any body are such, as to satisfy tho Minister for Public Health. Hr J. Studholme (Ashburton) said, ha would like to see the principle athrmed that there should be some restrictions to the borrowing powers of local bodies. Air C. J. t'arr (Auckland) considered loan proposals were safeguarded by the lynx-eyed criticism of the press. • Hr J. C. Collins moved an amendment, which was negatived, to the effect that « local government board, including, representatives of the municipal and counties associations, bo set up. EEPOBT DISPOSED OF. After .further discussion a vote wad taken, the result being that clause 8 was carried; subclause 1 was struck but, and subciauses 2. and 3 retained without alteration. ' The result of the discussion on the whole report therefore was the striking out of clauses X and 2, and the retention of the remainder •'pf the report with the exception of clause seven, which was postponed for the time being and the striking out of eubclaueo 1 of clause 8.

In regard to .danse* one and two Hr G. J. Garland (Auckland) objected to members of the board being, appointed for five years.' He would oppose the resolution. Mr A. Moore (North Canterbury) said he had; Toted against clause one in committee, and he would do the same now. The Minister should be held responsible for the work of his department instead of having a buffer instituted between him and the local authorities. Once the board was established its powers would "be extended from time to time, and it would overshadow the local bodies, who had to find the money. It was not desirable to go in that direction.. . AN AMENDMENT. The following amendment, with regard' to the composition and functions of the board was moved by Mr J. Studholme (Ashburton): . 1. That a Local Government Board be set up. 2. That such board be composed of the ! Minister of Internal Affairs'and three other membe'rs (not being members of ° Parliament), such members to be elect--j ed by Parliament for a term of riot less i than five years, and to be dismissabie ‘ only bv resolution of both Houses of Parliament. , 3. That the functions and duties of ! the board be not in excess of those ! embodied in this Bill, except in so far j as may be from time to time delegated to it by special Act of Parliament. i. That these functions and duties be confined as far as possible to powers of recommendation to the Govemor-in-Council. 5. That the board submit an annual report to Parliament on local government in general, and on the work of the board for the past year, such report to include & full and complete • list of all recommendations they have seen fit to make to the Governor-in-Council. Mx W. S. Maslin (South Canterbury) said it was like adding a fifth wheel to a coach to adopt the amendments, ■ which

SO. 2 COMMITTEE MUNICIPAL QUESTIONS. The No. 2 committee to whom mm referred municipal questions, with special relation to the inclusion of contiguous districts and town planning, brought down a report containing,the following resolutions, which they recommended the conference to adopt : 1. That, in view of the fact that the cities aud large boroughs of the Dominion'have special circumstances and , liabilities in their administration, due to most of them conducting electric' tramways, light, gas, water, and other trading ventujes which dineientiate them largely tiom other local bodies, we are of opuriou that such cities and boroughs cannot, wituout serious injury to the community, be incorporated in the piujKj.-'ed imi, auo tnis pommittee is oi opinion that they should be excluded tnereiiom. 2. That we are of opinion that the suouroan borwages ui tne fJom.n.ou Should not be included id the piqpused provinces, such boroughs tietug satisfied with the poweis oi 'auiuinlßtratioh conferred on tacin Oy the municipal Corporations Acts, and being bunions, when tiit-1 r bUig-.Sset. so wish it, voluntarily to amaigamaie suen suburban boiougus with the cities. 3. That with respect to the smaller rural boroughs and these road board districts adjoining the- cities or forming part of the suburban area of the cities or boroughs, this committee is of opinion that the Government should set up a commission of inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to report as to which of these bodies can, in the public interest, be amalgamated with’

were neither of use nor ornament. Ht was opposed to the setting up of a Local Government Board. The chairman said the amendments , wore unworkable except in regard to clause 5, which might he improved and adopted. If Parliament was to elect tho board it really meant an attempt to kill . tho proposal in another way. Tho idea was to set up a board which would bo of assistance to the Minister in administering the'detail work of his department. It was better to have the knowledge of a combination of experienced men than the individual experience of the Minister alone. OILING THE WHEELS. Mr A. E. Jull (Hawke’s Bay) said something was needed to oil the wheels of the local government machine. A board oonld well be appointed . which would not' have tho multifarious duties ascribed to them by some people. Ho would support the proposal for.a Local Government Board. Dr J. C. Collins (Cook) said tho people should have some representation to voice their needs on that board, and he failed to see how they were going to get continuity of legislation on the one hand and satisfaction to the local bodies on tho other if the Local Government Boards as suggested were set up. , Mr B. B. French (Auckland) thought ■it was best to leave the power- in tho Minister’s hands. After considerable further discussion Mr Stndholme'e amendment was lost on ' the voices, and so was the main resolution to establish a Local-Government Board. On being put to tho vote clause 2 of the .report also was negatived, its retention relying upon the carrying of clause 1.. Clauses 3 to 6 inclusive were adopted, and clause 7 postponed. LOCAL BODY BORROWING. It was proposed that 1 and Bof clause 8 be deleted, the- Minister ' asking whether it was not desirable that there should be some brake put on the borrowing power of local bodies. Mr D. McLaren (Wellington) said that in regard to public works carried out by local bodies, necessary works should be carried out first and luxuries afterwards. He spoke of tho indifference of the ratepayers when it came to a question of voting on loane. ,

the counties or adjacent boroughs, as the case may be. This committee expresses the view that such amalgamation in many cases is desirable, and should, it necessary, bo compulsorily ©fleeted. 4. That the system of subsidies to boroughs bo coutinued,_ and in case of their merging in counties the subsidies for tho boroughs so merged should be continued to tho counties. 5. That this committee is of opinionfa) That special legislation to provide for town-planning is urgently Required; (b) that in particular it is necessary in the public interest • that tho subdivision of suburban areas for set- * tlemern. should bo more strictly supervised than hitherto; (c) that any townplanning authority should be representative of tho local authorities atfueled, or likely to bo affected, with cho addition of special experts on tho

subject. There was practically no discussion on the report, all tho clauses being adopted with the exception of No. 4, which was postponed for tho time being in order that it might bo taken in conjunction with a clause of another committee’s report. NO. 3 COMMITTEE BOUNTIES, ROAD AND TOWN BOARDS. Counties, road and town boards were left to No. 3 committee, with tho special riow to tho abolition and amalgamation of minor local bodice and tho enlarge- j niont of counties. Tho committed PJ ceodod to business on tho assumption that the proposed provincial districts would not bo proceeded with. The following recommendations wore made;— 1. Domain Boards.—That all domain boards within counties bo vested in county councils or municipalities. 3. Road Districts. —That the present dual system of control by counties and road districts should cease; that the county system bo the system that should bo retained; and that due regard should be given to the interests of the districts now under tho control of road boards with regard to representation and otherwise; that in the ■meantime some simpler method be adopted for merging road boards into connties than at present exists, such as by taking a poll. 1. Town Districts. That all town districts with a population, of 500 and upwards be formed into boroughs; that all town districts with a population of under 500 bo merged into counties, provision being made in tho Counties, Act for tho establishment of local commit-

tees, by election or otherwise, to administer under the control of the county council; that the counties should have the power now exercised by tho present town districts, which may bo delegated to committees. . 2. Cemetery Boards.—That the! same provisions of as recommended to apply to domains should apply to cemetery boards. 3. River Districts and Drainage Dis-

tricts.—That river districts and drainage districts that operate within the confines of a county he abolished, and the duties of existing boards be carried on by the county councils or borough councils, or a joint committee, as the case may be. 4. Water Supply Board.—That the same provisions of administration as apply to river districts should apply to water supply districts. 5. Harbour Boards.—That county councils or borough councils be empowered to exercise the duties of harbour boards in such cases where there

is at present no harbour board, but that in such cases the county should do this -work in its capacity of a County instead of a harbour board; that, in the case of the merging Into the counties of any .other class or classes of local bodies, all the powers *nd duties now exercised by such bodies be given to the county councils. 6. Counties.—That this committee is of opinion that the multiplicity of small counties is a mistake? that the number of counties should be reduced, and that a commission should be set up'to inquire as to where amalgamation can be made, keeping in view the size, population, valuation, and community of interest of snch counties. That a change in the basis of subsidies for counties is desirable, that the necessities of all districts should be fully considered, and is disposed to favourably consider the general lines of the scheme in force in New South Wales as referred to by the Minister in his speech. That the committee affirms the ’ desirability of retaining the present system of county franchise. That for representation purposes the present system of ridings in counties be retained, and the county _ councils have the option of keeping riding accounts or not. That a uniform system of accounts be adopted for local bodies. That the present system of triennial election be retained in the counties, and be made to apply to all local bodies. That the present system of triennial election bo retained in the counties, and be made to apply to all local bodies, the elections to be held on the same day.

RECOMMENDATIONS DISCUSSED. The domain board danse was adopted with tho addition of tho following words:— And that where a domain board is adjacent to several boroughs, tho board shall be controlled by tho largest local authority. When clause 2 (road districts) was reached a prolonged debate took place, a number of delegates advocating the setting up of an inquiry for tho purpose of suggesting the elimination of unnecessary road districts, in lien of wholesale abolition. An amendment to the effect that the merging of road boards be left to a commission of inquiry was lost on tho voices, and the clause as it stood was adopted. The town district clause was adopted with a slight amendment, allowing such districts to he merged into adjacent boroughs as well as into counties. A proposal by Mr E. W, Venn (Horowhenua) that licensing districts and committees be abolished and their functions' and duties be carried out by the local authorities was lost on the voices. TRIENNIAL ELECTIONS.

Discussing the clause relating to triennial elections which it was recommended should apply to all local bodies, elections to bo held on the same day. Mr D. McLaren (Wellington) said his council had discussed the question and had condemned the system, favouring the biennial elections. The same view was held by Mr J. A. Nash (Palmerston North). Mr C. J. Parr (Auckland) supported the three years’ term for both Mayor and councillors. There were too many elections; A man’s third year of office would be his most useful one. Mr J. Trevor (Wellington) favoured triennial elections. Mr J. W. MoEwan (Petone) said electors should have the right to say every year whether they were satisfied with their Mayor, or wanted a new one. They would, show by their votes whether they appreciated a good man. Mr J. G. Garland (Auckland) advocated tho election of Mayors by the councils. An amendment by Mr McLaren that the triennial term should only apply to counties was negatived and the danse adopted. EXTENDED FRANCHISE. A. new clause was moved by'Mr A. E. Jull (Hawke’s Bay) to the effect thht the municipal franchise bo amended to provide for a rate-paying qualification in addition to tho residential qualification. Mr McLaren said he would like to see

un amendment to the legislation to give persons such as dwellers on coal-nuixs a municipal vote. . Mr J. Fisher (Southland) said the conference would lay itself open to ridicule if it passed tho clause proposed by all JulL. , , , Mr Jull explained that his proposal did not seek to take away any existing franchise, hut to give some extra tranchise to property holders. The chairman suggested that Mr Jull should withdraw his clause, and this course was adopted. The whole report as amended was finally adopted, with tho exception of the clause dealing with subsidies, which was postponed. COMMITTEE NO. 4 EDUCATION AND HOSPITALS. Committee No. 4 which dealt with the hospitals and education recommended 1 That Part IX. [hospitals, charitable aid and public health! be deleted from tho Bill, the present Act. with some minor amendments, being satisfactory. 2. That it bo a recommendation to the department to give the following matters its serious consideration : —(a) TTo alterations of boundaries, either by enlargement or otherwise; .(b) to place upon tho estimates a sufficient sum annually to copo with consumption; (o) that receiving homes be placed in the large centres for tho reception of mental incipient cases, cost and maintenance of same to be borne by tho mental authorities; also, that tho treatment of habitual inebriates should be a charge on tho same department; (d) that tho Destitute Persons Act should bo amended. 3. That Part X. [education! of the Local Government Bill be eliminated. 4. That tho Minister should take steps to ascertain whether the boundaries of the various education districts cannot be improved. 5. That tho Minister should consider the question of subsidies (or capitation) now being paid to boards, and Boards of Governors, for technical and manual training, and secondary work. 6. That tho results of, inquiries, it made, under resolutions 4 and 5 should be communicated to 1 boards for consideration, and for further alteration, if necessary, before any material amendment in the law is made.

In regard to th(/ hospital proposals recommended to the consideration of tho department, the Minister said they had his hearty support. Tho whole report was adopted. SUBSIDIES The clauses in the No. 1 and. No. 2 committee reports relating to subsidies, which were postponed in the earlier part of the proceedings, were adopted with minor amendments, and the clause in No. 3 committee's report dealing with the same subject was dropped. This concluded the business. WINDING UP The Prime Minister, who was present during the last hour of 'the conference’s deliberations, briefly thanked the delegates for the earnest consideration they had given to local government matters. Several delegates spoke in high appreciation of the services rendered to the conference by the Minister of Internal Affairs, a tribute being paid to his uniform tact and courtesy. The Hon. G. W. Bussell,- on rising to reply, was received with a round of applause. He briefly returned thanks for the compliments extended to him. No more important conference on a public question had ever be® ll held in New Zealand, nor would it be possible to get a collection of more able delegatee. While recognising that thb Local Government Bill must be abandoned, the discussions at the conference would enable the Government to understand what was wanted by the local authorities, and a moderate Bill, embodying many N of the requirements could be brought down. If Parliament reflected the opinion of the local authorities the Bill would be _ able to be placed on the statute book within the next month or two. (Applause). The reduced county councils which would oome as a result of the commission it was proposed to set up would to a huge extent take the place of the provincial councils that were in the eye of ■ Sir Joseph Ward when he framed the Bill. The proceedings dosed at 10.30 p.m. with the singing of the National Anthem. This was followed by cheers for the Hon. G. W. Russell and the singing of "For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.’ Three cheers were also given for the Prime Minister.