LABOR OPPOSITION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17946, 25 November 1932, Page 5

LABOR OPPOSITION

THE MUNICIPAL BILL SOME EARLY CRITICISM SECOND READING DEBATE (Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. An indication that there is likely to be Labor opposition to new clauses in the Municipal Corporations Bill was given in the House last night, when the Hon. A, Hamilton moved the second reading. Air. Hamilton explained that the power was given to a council to delete names from ail electoral roll if they did not vote. Mr. J. O’Brien (Lab., Westland): Does that apply to ratepayers? The Minister: No, only those with residential qualifications. Mr, E. J. Howard (Lab., Chritchurch S.): That is pretty drastic in view of the number of men on relief works. Mr. Hamilton: It is optional on local bodies, not mandatory. Explaining the clause providing foi triennial elections for municipalities, the Minister said the idea was to bring them into line with counties. At the present time inconvenience was caused when counties had to elect members biennially to such bodies as hospital boards and power boards. The reason why 1935 had been fixed as the date of this clause corning into operation was because in ttiat year counties and municipalities would" be holding their elections simultaneously. Mr. W. E. Parrv (Lab., Auckland C.): Did the municipalities ask for this/ The Minister: They asked for uniformity and an extension of the term to three years. _ ... When the Minister was outlining, the clause giving local bodies additional power to spend money on recreation or instruction. Air. D. G. Sullivan (Lab., Avon) asked if authority was given to contribute to distress funds. FILLING OF VACANCIES The Minister: I don’t think it wise to open the door too widely. He added that he thought the providing of additional power to control hoardings was a good one. Air. H. S. S. Kvle (Goal., Riccarton) : Does it affect the Crown? The Minister: No. Air. Kyle: Well, it should. Referring to the clause giving power to fill extraordinary vacancies in councils. Air. AL J. Savage (Lab., Auckland W.) expressed the opinion that provision should l>e made for the appointment of the “next on the list.” at the, general election. Ho said that, in this way, the council would be going as far as possible towards fulfilling the wish of (he electors. He regretted the introduction into municipal life of the “bad practice of extending the life of governing bodies.” He said this might lie useful in times of political storms, butit was moving the councils further away from the electors. Mr. A. AL Samuel (Goal., Thames) and Mr. G. 11. Cimkavd (Coal., Rotorua) stressed the necessity for an opportunity being given local bodies to study the legislation and welcomed the Alinistev s assurance that ample time would be allowed for this purpose before the committee stage commenced in the House. Mr. ,T. AK'ombs (Lab., Lyttelton) protested against the second reading being taken so soon alter the introduction of the bill. He said it was not reasonable to ask members to discuss a measure of over 390 clauses, and containing at least 20 important alterations to the law, at such short notice. The bill was read a second time and (he House rose.