“UNDULY DELAYED”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26903, 15 October 1948, Page 4

“UNDULY DELAYED”

Progress of Works in South Island

CENTRALISATION BLAMED

p. A . WESTPORT, Oct. 14. Instances of South Island works being unduly delayed because of centralisation of authority at Wellington were given by speakers at the annual conference of delegates to the South Island Local Bodies’ Association which concluded at Westport to-day, when discussion took place on a Mount Herbert remit on devolution. The chairman, Mr E. H. Andrews (Christchurch), said a separate government for the South Island could not work, but he would like to see some authority given to Government officials to proceed with important works and not have to refer everything to Wellington. He said that the building controller at Christchurch was so handicapped and at times delays became very irritating.

Mr Andrews claimed that a lot of" time and expense would be saved if men with a knowledge of the South Island were empowered to make decisions on various works.; The remit was moved by Mr D. H. Creswell as follows:—“That devolution be the accepted aim of the association and that the executive circulate within three months a report on its possibilities.” Devolution is the transfer of business from Parliament to bodies appointed by it and responsible to it. Mr Creswell quoted instances of the Governments in the United Kingdom and America setting up authorities to act on their own authority, and he believed that the South Island should be enabled to attend to more of its own business on its own initiative. Mr A. Carpenter (Rangiora), who seconded the motion, said he felt that devolution would eventually make for increased strength of local bodies. Then there would be a stimulus for immigration and the restoration of population in the South Island. Dr G Jobberns said that in general terms the remit might not mean much, but if there was any suggestion of seceding from the North Island and breaking the Dominion’s economic structure in half, he would not support the move. , Mr Creswell said that the remit made no reference to breaking away or anything like that from the North Mr G. Ashcroft (Clut.ha Comity) claimed that the South Island suffered by decisions on works having to be referred to Wellington. If local authorities had more powers it would be their own fault if they did not act on them. . , , .. ~ Mr L. R. Palmer (Nelson) said it was obvious that there was great need for closer co-operation between local bodies and those with executive responsibilities. He gave instances of the decentralisation of the income tax and education systems, and said he thought that other Government departments could follow this good example. He stressed that devolution certainly did not mean revolution. . Mr L. J. T. Ireland (Dunedin) said that the principle of the remit should be supported. “It seems ridiculous that the whole destiny of the South Island should be governed from Wellington in some cases bv men who have never crossed Cook Strait. I believe tlfat lack of promptness in dealings at Wellington has placed obstacles in the way of development of the South.” Mr Ireland said. He believed that a minimum of 12 months would be necessary to investigate the matter. . . , After further discussion it. was decided that the matter be referred to the executive to investigate the various aspects and report to branches in sufficient time for members to study the findings in time for the next conference.