LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22098, 31 October 1933, Page 6

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

NEW ZEALAND LEGION’S WORK COMMISSION’S INVESTIGATIONS. An interesting feature of the work of the New Zealand Legion has been the investigation by the special commission set up by the legion to report on the question of local government reform. This body has been steadily pursuing its work, which is now nearing completion. Dunedin has taken the lead in this section of the legion’s efforts (says the Dominion), and while all the names of those engaged on this work have not been disclosed, Professor C. E. Hercus, a member of the New Zealand Town Planning Board, is the chairman. Dr Hercus is thoroughly conversant with the % , arious regional surveys undertaken by Mr J. W. Mawson, late director of town planning, and his committees. The committee also had prior to his departure for London, the collaboration of Mr G. A. Lewin, town clerk of Dunedin, who is a leading authority in New Zealand on city government. Among others who are actively engaged in this work are a well-known lawyer, a Rhodes scholar, and several Dunedin city men. .The committee had the advantage of the assistance of Dr Morrell during his recent visit to the Dominion. , Dr Morrell’s book on provincial government is well known, EXHAUSTIVE STUDY.

The whole history of the growth and development of local body government in New Zealand is said to have been exhaustively studied. Dr Hercus recently gave a striking public address, under the auspices of the legion, on the historical significance of this aspect of the question. The large Dunedin audience was_ much impressed with the able way in which Dr Hercus handled his subject. An examination has been made of the scope and cost of each individual local body and a scrutiny carried out in order to size up the efficiency with which each was functioning. From this basis a comprehensive review was made aa • to the possibilities of greater efficiency and coordination in working; Experts on various branches have given evidence to the committee, and the soundness of the conclusions tested down to the minutest details. After completing this initial stage of the work, the best methods of the complete reconstruction of the local body organisation were considered. This involved careful examination of the regional boundaries suggested by the Town Planning Board, and the possibility of extending these so as to contain a complete hospital district, education district, etc. In the boundaries suggested by the Town Planning Board, there is a good deal of overlapping of such major services. The question of the division of the whole of New Zealand into large departments has been _ approached by making a rigid analysis of the weaknesses and advantages of the old provincial system. The method by which such large departments would work, the possibility of securing men of high calibre, the extent of the powers of co-option, have all been matters for close consideraThe powers to be left with the central government —the extent to which, for example, the Railways Board might be expected to co-operate with the departmental or regional council —and other innumerable questions of detail, have had to be decided. TRANSPORT PROBLEM. A complete and comprehensive study o! the whole transport problem has been undertaken, and the possibilities of coordinating rail, road, and sea routes. This study in itself took some weeks, and the work of the committee wag greatly assisted by the co-operation of Mr J. B. Waters, member of the Otago Harbour Board, and a member of the Royal Commission which considered harbour board matters; Mr James Begg, well known as, a member of several Royal Commissions, including the National Expenditure Commission; prominent Railways and Public Works experts also gave assistance. The committee has had the advantage of an extensive library which Mr Lewin placed at its disposal. Treatises and books wero available on the working of local body councils in other parts of the world, including the London, Liverpool, and Manchester County Councils, as well as other systems in Great Britain, the colonies, and America. The committee, realising the difficult nature of the task, has devoted already six months to the question; the work is now well advanced, and should be completed in the course of another mouth or two. It is claimed on behalf of the commission’s investigations that never m the history of the Dominion hag the question of local body government been handled in such a comprehensive and detailed manner by men who have the requisite knowledge and judgment. I 1 or the first time the subject has been handled by those who were absolutely free from any necessity of considering local prejudices or parochial views. The report, when received, it is considered will be of more value than that of any commission which the Government is likely to set up. Governments throughout the last 57 years have been paralysed by parochial and political considerations on tins urgent question and the legion hopes that its efforts will’result in local government being put finally on a proper basis. , In addition to the special attention given to the work in Otago, all the committees and centres of the legion have made their contribution toward the subject, and the active and ever-increasing support which the movement is receiving is considered likely to ensure that Parliament will give effect to the insistent demand for reform and co-ordina-tion “The burden of taxation involved in an out-of-date, cumbrous, expensive, and relatively inefficient local government system and the evils of over-central-isation in Wellington,” remarks one commentator. “have never been felt more acutely than in the present difiicult circumstances.” ______