COUNTY CLERKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 6

COUNTY CLERKS.

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND ASSOCIA-

TION FORMED,

Following the example of their brother officers in the Auckland province, the county e'erks of Otago and Southland recently held a meeting in Dunedin to consider the proposal to form a County Clerks’ Association. The following were present:—Messrs Griffin (Lake), Fleming (Peninsula), Potter (Bruce), Watv (Clutha), George (Vincent) Logan (Taieri), Inder (Waikouaiti), and Lloyd (Maniototo). After a discussion as to objects, constitution, etc., it was unanimously decided to form an association to be called the Otago and Southland County Clerics Association, and that all county clerks in the provinces of Southland and Otago were eligible for membership, and assistant clerks should be eligible as associate members. The principal objects of the association are to guard the welfare of members, to promote education facilities, to co-operate with the councils to secure legislative amendments -which may be necessary, to promote legislation particularly with regard to the qualifications of clerks who shall be granted diplomas or certificates, superannuation, and the employment of thoroughly qualified officers by the councils. In this respect it should be understood that the New South Wales Government insists on the appointment of only certificated officers to executiye positions, and may remove any uncertificated officers who may be appointed by any council. Local government is becoming more recognised as a distinct profession, necessitating special studies and qualifications and experience. Each year the work becomes more intricate and exacting. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr J. Logan (Taieri); vicepresident, Mr F. Lloyd (Maniototo); secretary and treasurer, Mr L. W. Potter; executive, with these ex officio members, Messrs D. Watt (Clutha) and W. Fleming (Peninsula); Mr E. W. George (Vincent) , auditor. Commenting on this meeting, Board and Council, the official organ of the New Zealand Counties’ Association, says: —‘ They (the Otago and Southland clerks) will have the congratulations of officers in other parts, and the goodwill of local authorities. The day has fortunately arrived when local bodies cease to see in the organisation of their officers a potential evil . . . and they are ready to give their cordial support to a movement capable of rendering a material service of local government if pursued on right There can be little doubt that such a movement in Otago will be productive of much good. With the counties themselves united into an association, and working under one comprehensive uniform set of joint by-laws, and now with tljje clerks themselves banded together to assist in uniform -government, the work of administration should greatly improve to the advantage of all concerned, and for the benefit of the ratepayers and the public generally. It is especially gratifying to learn that the councils themselves are giving warm approval to the clerks’ movement, and that up to time of writing only two clerks had not joined the association, though it is confidently expected they will do so. Auckland, in the north, and Otago and Southland in the south, have now given the intervening provinces the lead, and it is onfidently anticipated that these will take simile- steps, and ultimately, while maintaining provincial aspect, form themselves into one Dominion organisation, similar to the town clerks’ organisation.