LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23334, 28 October 1937, Page 6

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

, THE AMALGAMATION BILL MEASURE REINTRODUCED COMMITTEE TO HEAR EVIDENCE 'XFhom Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. With the object of reducing the number of local .authorities in the Dominion the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by the Governor-General's Message to-day. The original Bill was introduced at the end of last session and was circulated primarily for the purpose of public information. The new measure embodies all the principles of last year's proposals, the only changes arising out of technicalities in law drafting. Under the proposals it will be possible to prepare amalgamation schemes for all classes of. local authorities except hospital boards. The Bill provides for the preparation of amalgamation schemes by or on behalf of local bodies, the aims of any scheme being set out as follows:—The. union into ' one district of two or more adjoining districts; the merger of a district in another district; the transfer of the functions or one local authority.to another; alterations in boundaries and the conversion of a district into a district of a different kind. Powers of Minister .Local bodies may prepare their own, amalgamation schemes voluntarily or they may-be instructed to dp so by. the Minister of Internal Affairs. In any case, where amalgamation is held to be desirable and the local bodies do not co-operate in the matter .the Minister himself may have an amalgamation scheme prepared. Every scheme must be publicly notified, Copies must be sent to the local bodies affected and full opportunity must be given for objections to be made. Where several districts are concerned with one scheme one of them may be appointed a principal local authority' for the purpose of attending to the various machinery measures associated with amalgamation. Whether schemes have been prepared voluntarily or not the Minister may decide in the absence of objections that they shall come into operation, or else, if, further inquiries seem necessary, he may refer them to a.special tribunal to 'be appointed under, the title of the Local Government (Amalgamation Scheimes). Commission. . This is to consist of a permanent chairman, an officer of the public service, and a nominee of the local bodies concerned in the particular scheme before the commission. . If any local authorities are unable to make a unanimous cholqe of a representative, the Minister is empowered to select their nominee, provided he appoints a person with local knowledge of the districts to be affected. ; Commission of Inquiry ' The commission is given full power to review all schemes sub--mitted to it and to suggest to the Minister any necessary modifications or amendments. Objections brought forward at inquiries held by the {.commission must be supported by evidence. After a report has been received from the commission the Minister is required to send copies fo\the local authorities affected and •to/ publish notices in the newspapers .seating forth the recommendations of' the commission. Thereafter the 'only objections which can be made to the recommendations must be on the "grounds that specified -matters haye not been given sufficient consideration. ', 'lt necessary, the Minister may require the commission to make a revised or supplementary, report or else he may dispose of the objections 'without referring them to the commission. The final report of. the commission must also be notified. ; Various clauses in the Bill outline the procedure to be followed in giving effect to amalgamation, schemes •Which have been finally. -approved, 'and the,Minister is given .power to determine the apportionment of the costs involved. The special, provisions enabling county councils to absorb smaller local bodies within their own areas are retained in the Bill, and there is power to appoint ; a special commission of inquiry to report on any matter affecting Local government. Question of Compulsion " I have given thorough explanations of the proposals contained in the Bill tb local authorities all over the Dominion;" said the Minister of Internal. Affairs (Mr.W. E. Parry), speakmg on the introduction of the measure; "As a mater of fact, the Bill is an attempt to deal with a very difficult problem which has been vexing the minds of local body members • and others for many years." Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition, Riccarton): Are there any compulsory provisions? . " The Bill is largely fashioned on legislation introduced by the previous Government to deal with the amalgamation of hospital boards." Mr Parry said. "If that legislation, is regarded as compulsory it must be admitted that, this Bill also has definite aspects of compulsion. That, however, is not my view." The Minister said that the principle of amalgamation was accepted by most local bodies, but there were differences of opinion regarding the particular application of the Government's proposals. It was proposed, however, to refer the Bill to a special select committee represen- , tative of the whole of the Dominion. " There • are approximately 700 local bodies in New Zealand at present," Mr Parry said, " and the object of the Bill is to bring about a reduction in tin's number. With regard to the commission which is to be appointed, I should say that a judge of the Supreme Court ought to be appointed as permanent chairman. The commission will be entrusted with very important work. It has been suggested that the Bill aims at amalgamation of counties only. That is not so. It affects all local authorities with the exception of hospital boards." Evidence Heard Mr J. G. Coates (Opposition,, Kalpara) said the Bill was very farreaching, and it was important that a very representative committee of the House should hear evidence from local bodies before it was passed. Mr Parry: I will see to that. "It is no use local bodies coming forward to give evidence if a Minister has a fixed impression and has made up his mind," Mr .Coates; said.

" The Minister is a fair-minded man, however, and we have his assurance that the views of the local bodies themselves will be considered." The Bill was read a first time.