LOCAL GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 13

LOCAL GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES.

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. July 6. Details of the Local Grants and Subsidies Bill, which is to remodel the system of parliamentary grants to local bodies, have not yet been made jmblic. but it is stated on good authority that it will provide for setting up a non-political board of three members, who will be selected on account of their practical knowledge of local government affairs and of civil engineering. It is expected that means will be devised tor giving each island a measure of representation on the board. The members of the board will be in a position analogous to that of the Public Service Commissioners, and will be directly responsible to Parliament. The Bill thus proposes a very important reform, which will remove the administration of State grants to local bodies from the spheres of Ministerial and political influence, as has already been done in the matter of appointments to and promotions in the public service. The different grades in which local districts are to be classified according to the stage of development they have reached will not be fixed, it is understood, in the Bill, but will be arranged subsequently on the advice of the new board. One country member, who was spoken to to-day, said it would probably be found advisable to classify the local districts in three divisions, and he further expressed the opinion that the work of drawing up the glassification would not present any great difficulties and could most likelv be carried out between one session of Parliament and another.

The Bill will probably make its appear ance in the House within a few days.