POLICY QUESTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26717, 11 March 1948, Page 2

POLICY QUESTIONS

VIEWS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES CLEAR STATEMENTS NEEDED PA WELLINGTON, Mar 10. Judge Goldstine, chairman of the Local Government Commission hearing a petition by the Hutt River Board for an extension of boundaries, which is oDDosed by the Petone Borough Council said at the end of the hearing. “There is one point upon which the commission desires to make some comment In some recent inquiries officers of local authorities have entered the witness box to make statements relating to the general policy of then authorities on the subject-matter f the inquiry. Some of these have been unable to give definite information as to the opinions of their authorities on these policy questions. “It should be generally understood that where the policy of a local authority is in issue the commission desires and is entitled to have that policy stated by the mayor or chairman ot the local authority or at least by a member who is clothed with authority in that behalf. In fact, it is desirable that the authority of the person tenderins evidence should be established by specific resolution of the local authority which expresses the views on the policy questions in issue.