COUNTIES v. TOWN DISTRICTS

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13694, Issue 13694, 10 September 1906, Page 5

COUNTIES v. TOWN DISTRICTS

(Pir UKwr.n Press Association.) WKIiLINO'I'OM, September 8. A deputation reprerenting the executive of tho Counties' Association of New Zealand waited upon tho Coloniul Secretory with a string of objections to (.lie Town Districts Bill at present Iwfore the Legislative Council. Mr .lull, president, of the tutorial ion, said tho deputation had no desire to retard tlm growth of town districts, but. what; t.hoy particularly objected to was tho proposal to give (own districts the right to control certain portions of (he main roads. This provision would lw a distinct hardship' to somo town districts, whoso finance.? wore insufficient lo enable them_ to satisfactorily undertake such responsibilities. 110 suggested I hat it would be well to allow the bill to stand over this session in anticipation of tho introduction next year of a comprehensive measure dealin? with tiie question of local government.. Trouble was also likely to be created through tho granting of power to town boards for the control of main reads within their jurisdiction, Messrs A. Dillon and W. 11. Field. M.ll.R.'s, and Mr Atkinson, secretary of the association, wore present. Mr Field made it clear that ho wa.s in sympathy with town districts. In reply the lion. Mv Pitt slated that it. was desirable to have a. conmreheneive measure relating to local government pas-wd into law, hut, tho Government did not, look forward lo tho task as a very cosy one. "The law relating to town districts was in an unsatisfactory slate at present. He emphasised that the bill was a very harmless one. ' It, only proposed to give town districts constituted under the act authority over such portions of main roads as were' within their limits. Parliament was clearly ill favour of town districts. At the ssiirn time, he promised to give consideration to tho views of tho deputation.