MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3526, 11 October 1921, Page 6

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

OPENED BY

GOVERNOR GENERAL.

WELLINGTON, October 4. The conference of delegates to the Municipal Association of New Zealand was opened this morning by the GovernorGeneral. There was a very large attendance of delegates, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr R. A. Wright, ALP.) presiding. .Sir Francis Bell, Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, was present, and made some important references to the legislation which, the Department of Internal Affairs proposes to introduce in regard to local body overdrafts. In opening the conference, Lord Jellicoe referred to the question of unemployed. Ho said that he knew the problem was causing considerable anxiety throughout the dominion ; but one could not forget that New Zealand was very happily placed in comparison with other portions of the Empire, and, no doubt, with other countries of the world in that respect. That fact, however, was not likely to make anybody in New Zealand relax their efforts in trying to find a solution of the problem, because no one would be really happy until every man who wanted to work in the dominion, was provided with employment. A large number of remits were discussed and resolutions adopted, which will be submitted to the Ministry. October 6. The Municipal Conference to-day passed a remit urging that in future all pigs sold foi human consumption shall be killed and inspected at a public abattoir. In view of Anzac Day coming within a day or two of the municipal elections, it was recommended that the elections should take place on the first Wednesday in May, and new councils should take office a week after that day. It was also resolved that “The Motor Registration Act, 1908,” be amended to provide that all registrations of motor vehicles shall be renewed annually. That this conference protests against the undue tendency to amend and alter the provisions of statutes affecting local bodies by means of regulations drawn up in Council. That it be compulsory for local bodies who are licensed to register motor vehicles to examine and issue to drivers certificates showing that they are competent to handle such vehicles, and that it be compulsory for all drivers of motor vehicles to be in possession of such certificate. It was decided that the next conference lie held in Christchurch on a date to be fixed b.y the executive. -The conference has concluded. DELEGATES ENTERTAINED. WELLINGTON, October 6. Delegates attending the Municipal Conference were entertained at luncheon by the Wellington City Corporation at the Town Hall to-day. Amongst those present were the Hon.- J. CL Coates (Public Works Minister), the Hon. W. Dotvnie Stewart (Minister of Internal Affairs), Mr T. M. Wilford, the Supreme Court judges, and the magistrates. Mr Dotvnie Stewart paid a tribute to the work done by Sir Francis Bell when Minister of Internal Affairs, and assured the delegates of the anxiety of his department to assist in unravelling the difficulties with which local bodies were faced. He thought it was the duty of the Government to do its best to encourage and develop the expansion of local government, encourage local autonomy, and interfere as little as possible with local bodies’ ! methods and courses of action. He believed there was no cleaner country in the Empire than New Zealand in regard to the | manner in which the municipal government- was carried out. Mr Coates, in referring to the improvement: in methods of transit, said an enj deavour should bo made to lay down a system of development of main roads. I ’J he Minister outlined a classification of j roads as compared with fhe Highways Bill, j He said the Counties’ Conference had rej gardod the question purely from a local ! point of view. Having decided that there ! should be main roads, then came the ques- ! tion of administration and control, and the question of whether :he Government i control should coase at borough boundaries.