THE COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2209, 2 July 1896, Page 26

THE COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Wellington, Jane 21. A deputation from the County Councils' Col> ■ ference waited on the Hod. Mr Seddon to-d*y. Mr M'MilUu pointed out that the conference thought that tbe Local Government Bill needed & good deal of amending. The present mode of working smaller local bodies, they considered, would be cheaper than the plan pro* posed by the bill, and they thought further that a more simple method of amending the system of local government oould be arrived at. ' The Hon. Mr Seddon said the only desire of the Government was to perfect the present system of local government, at they would admit there were many defects in the present system,. Local government had run riot. There were counties in which there were something like two or three ratepayers. When they considered the size of some of the counties and their >r*teable valae it was simply surprising tolookupthebnrgesa roll and see' how few there were entitled to vote for the selection of thcßO to represent the o6unfcy. The system of representation tuusb ba altered. The present basis was absolutely unjust. Foe instance, in Wellington with a population of 40,000 persons there were only 2000 who had control of the city. This unjust state of things must be dealb with, and as scon as possible. It was not his intention to make tho counties too large and uuwieldy. Coming to another question, that of charitable aid, Mr Seddon said it was this question, that to a great extent had actuated him in dealing with the -question' of local government. There- was a general feeling of dissatisfaction regarding the present system of dealing with oharitable aid. ' The system was one th*t simply led to. tho breeding of paupers, aDd it was pauperising the country. People seemed to demnad charitable aid as, a right, and tbo f e who contributed the money had no right of control. A great saving could, in his opinion, be made, and the deserving poor get attended to. He scarcely thought, that upon a large, question like this one of local government, they would carry the bill through this session. He wished, however, to obtain the opinion of the House upon it, and theci they might refer it to the people. Mr M'Millan said that, except in regard to tbe question of representation, the conference agreed fairly wtU with the opinions of Mr Seddon. On the representation question, ho never, they were un&nf lOusly agreed that the present system was fairer one than that proposed in the bilK If the Government carried ont the ayttt-m it proposed, the same unfairoers would exist a.s Mr Seddon pointed out in connection with the system of charitable aid. In removing one injustice they would be creating a larger one. The Premier said he had worked the matter out, and he did not agree with the hat speaker. Plurality of voting in the county system was in his opinion objectionable. The members of the deputation pointed out in regard to the initt&nce quoted by Mr Ekddon of only 2000 out of 40,000 people in Wellington controlling the affaire of the city, that in country districts a very different state of affairs existed to that in municipalities. Almost every tenant in the country had hit name on the roll. After further c nVemtion Mr 'M'Millan said the Premier would meet the views of the conference and the people of the colony if he would drop the idea, of extending the franchise in the couutry districts. .- Mr Seddon promised to give the views of the conference every consideration.

The Public Trustea has acknowledged the receipt of £18,746 for the Brunner relief fund, and other contributions have yet to cocno.

Messrs Williamson Bro?., .of Dunedin, are said to be prepared to take shares to tbe value of £100 in any quartz reefs- to- be opened up and worked.