Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1933. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18066, 18 April 1933, Page 4

Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1933. LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The statement that one of the major proposals in the legislative programme of the New Sou 1 h Wales Government is provision for a complete overhaul of the system of local body administration is'of particular interest to New Zealand, where similar action has been talked of for years, but, without result. It is not surprising that many of the arguments advanced in favor of a drasticreduction of local .government costs: on the other side of the Tasman should bear a close relationship lo those put forward in the Dominion, for the problem is essentially similar in many countries and there is the same motive behind the agitation lor more economic and etiicient control. New South Wales provides an interesting comparison with this country, for both have much in common and in each case there has been the same tendency to cultivate a system of parochial administration, local bodies being created haphazardly without any very strict regard to their real necessity or their ultimate advantage. In New South Wales it is contended that the local government system has become so exaggerated that it is now possible and practicable to reduce the number of shires and municipalities by half, and, at trio same time, give better service to the publie. If that is tho position i:i Now South Wales, what might be said of New Zealand? In tho former State there arc Gl7 local government bodies; in this country there arc no fewer than 323, although our population is little more than half that of New South Wales, and the area served considerably less than half. The aim in New South Wales is to reduce local authorities to about I,'iS; if the same basis were adopted in New Zealand the total would lie, only about SO, instead of tlre existing! 1123, and there does not seem to be any adequate reason why reorganisation on such a scale should not be carried out. The only progress made on these lines so far has been in tho main centres, where, from rime to time, the city boundaries have been extended to embrace smaller boroughs, and the system has proved entirely beneficial. If it is possible to successfully amalgamate local districts in tho most thickly populated localities, where much more extensive work and supervision are required, it surely should bo feasible to extend the same principle to provincial centres where overlapping is most conspicuous, and, particularly, to rural areas where al- j most innumerable bodies are making a ; constant drain on ratepayers without

giving a commensurate return. A year or two ago thero were strong

hopes that the Government was determined to tackle this problem, and at

one stage the appointment of a com-

mission was imminent. Sinco then,

however, an inexplicable apathy hfis developed, and a public that is

patiently awaiting relief in this important connection has to be content

with occasional platitudes from hi in isters about tho need for reorganise tion and reform. When Mr. Hamil

ton took over the portfolio of Internal j

Affairs he raised fresh hopes by in timating that his department was in-

vestigating tho position and contemplated early action in the matter,

All that developed, however, was a

pious appeal to local bodies to take

he initiative themselves. This was

followed by a fairly recent circular

Tom tho Counties 1 ’ Association recoin

mending its member bodies to carefully consider the question, but apart

'rom one or two isolated instances

here is no evidence that they have

seriously done so; nor can such volun

ary action be expected, for with the

extensive growth of local government thero has arisen a class of parochial

politician who, however good -iutentioned ho might be, has an entirely

exaggerated opinion of the import

ance of the body of which he is a member, and the one thing lie is not likely to do is to admit that his work can better be carried out by someone else. The local bodies themselves, therefore, arc naturally opposed to any scheme of reform, and allied with them are the organisations representing the various branches of administration. On the other side, and vastly in tho majority, are the harassed ratepayers, but since they have no organisation and are lacking in the support they are entitled to expect from tho central government their opinions receive no consideration. I Clearly the initiative for an overhaul of the system of-local body control is a matter for the Government, which professes to recognise the imperative need for action but fails to take it. The delay that has already occurred is a serious matter, for it means, not merely a continuation of costly overlapping, but considerable added expense in conducting elections which might bo obviated were tho desired amalgamations and rearrangements effected. The work involved cannot be carried out without a great deal o! preliminary inquiry; in fact, an exhaustive investigation is necessary if satisfactory results are to lie obtained, but this is another reason why an immediate start should be made. The task is one which will require most skilful handling by someone of far more than usual capacity, and it is conceivable that some difficulty might

be experienced in obtaining tho scr vices of a suitable commissioner. .1

so happens, however, that after the forthcoming municipal elections the work of Mr. J. S. Barton in administering the Borough of Napier will terminate, and no one more capable could be secured to embark on tii complicated work of focal government reform; nor could Mr. Barton be more profitably employed than in giv ing effect to the avowed policy of tin Government and the undoubted desin of the public. With his remarkable ability for investigating such problems, his practical knowledge oi municipal administration, accountancy qualifications of the highest order, and a judicial mind with which to carefully consider every aspect ol the questions involved, he is ideally qualified for undertaking the work, and the possibility of utilising his services in this important direction might well be commended to the Government for most favorable consideration.