LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26114, 29 March 1946, Page 4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSION FULL INQUIRY FORESHADOWED (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 28. Praising the work done by local bodies during the war, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry, told the Municipal Conference j to-day that the local Government system of the Dominion had come through a trying period with flying colours and stood secoiid-to-none in its efficiency. The Minister referred to the report of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government and said that although the details were not yet completed a Bill giving effect to its recommendations would be introduced as soon as possible in the coming session. He expected the Bill to pass the House without much opposition. It was likely that the most important single recommendation of the committee—the formation of a Local Bodies’ Commission —would be put into effect before the end of the year. The commission would have a judicial chairman, a Government representative well versed in local body affairs, and a representative from the local bodies.

Mr Parry said that .perhaps the different local bodies would get together to make an appointment, but if a counties man was appointed it should be possible to have advisory officers appointed to help him with special subjects such as borough administration, power boards, and hospitals.