SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL BODIES.
The Premier in his speech at Leeston, a digest of which was telegraphed to the press, said: " The most important subject tfe Bhall have to deal with will be one of finance. I have already referred to that to some extent, and I will not anticipate the stetement of the Colonial Treasurer. But there is one , point upon which I may touch without inconvenience. It has been found necessary to discontinue, in their present shape, the subsidies granted to local bodies. The colony is not in a position to afford so large a sum as has hitherto been paid in that way—and paid, as we believe, in a great many instances where it could be fairly spared. That remark applies especially to the large cities throughout the colony where heavy rates are levied, and where, consequently, heavy subsidies are drawn from the Colonial exchequer. But we promised that the subsidies should not be stopped without our endeavouring to provide some efficient substitute for parts of the colony where road-making has to be carried on under very disadvantageous circumstances. Many parts of the colony are less fortunately situated than we are here. In road districts, or counties where there exists a large area of Crown lands, and a comparatively small area of freehold, but where roads have to be made, the charge falls very hardly on the freeholders who are there. Many districts, again, owing to being covered, or largely so, by forests, could not possibly make their roads without assistance from the Government. Assistance, therefore, will be provided in a way which, while entailing the least possible pressure upon the Colonial Treasury, will, I trust, provide efficient assistance for those districts where such help is really required.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/PBH18800529.2.13
Bibliographic details
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1027, 29 May 1880, Page 2
Word Count
291SUBSIDIES TO LOCAL BODIES. Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1027, 29 May 1880, Page 2
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.