THE Soutland Times PUBLISHED every morning. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, 4th AUGUST, 1900 THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL.

Southland Times, Issue 14713, 4 August 1900, Page 2

THE Soutland Times PUBLISHED every morning. Luceo Non Uro. SATURDAY, 4th AUGUST, 1900 THE MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BILL.

* The Municipal Corporations Bill, the first instalment of the long promised local government reform, has been introduced and read a second time, pro forma, in the House of Representatives, and now stands referred to a Select Committee composed of members presumed to be especially qualified to give it consideration. The bill differs from that brought forward, but not proceeded with, in 1898, in that it proposes to retain all existing municipalities instead of providing for material reduction in the number, and the amalgamation of suburban boroughs with the cities. The qualification for a new borough is to be an area of not more than nine square miles, having no points more than six miles distant from one another, and a population of not less than one thousand. Important alterations are proposed in regard to the Municipal Executive. The Council is to consist in the case of an undivided borough of not less than six nor more than ten councillors, exclusive of the mayor. In the case of a divided borough, of not less than six nor more than ten where the population does not exceed 30,000, and of not less than ten nor more than fifteen where the population exceeds that number. The first general election of the whole of the members of every Council is to be held on a day to be fixed by the Governor. On the last Wednesday in the month of November in the second year following, and on the same day in every succeeding second year thereafter, all the members of every Council are to go out of office ; and on every such day a fresh general election of the members thereof is to be helf^. With a view to embodying as far as possible all the legislation affecting municipalities in one statute, the bill includes various provisions of the Public Works, Public Health, and other Acts affecting boroughs; thirty -one Acts being expressed to be wholly or in part repealed. As regards rivers and drainage districts, provision is made for boroughs becoming parts of "special districts" under the Local Authorities Bill, should that measure, which is to be shortly introduced, become law. In addition to the powers at present possessed, the bill materially enlarges the powers of Borough Councils in relation to drainage and sanitation, and gives authority to provide workers' dwellings, and to prevent the overcrowding of land with houses and house* with inhabitants, i

It* further gives wide and comprehensive powers as to the making, validity, testing, and enforcement of bylaws, and, with a view to greater conciseness in the body of the bill, subsidiary matter has been thrown into schedules; whilst many matters of detail, and mere machinery provisions, have been left to be provided for by regulation to be made by the Governor. Generally, the legislation affecting municipalities has been revised, extended in scope, and condensed in expression. In regard to Bnance, the present arrangements under which aid is given to municipalities out of the public revenue, is entirely revolutionised, andit is evident from the proceedings of the recent Conference of municipal delegates at Wellington, that a wide divergence of opinion prevails as to how the new system will eventuate in operation. The bill provides that there shall be payable out of the Consolidated Fund for each year ending the 31st March, capitation grants in aid of the revenues of the boroughs equal to four shillings per head of the population, according to the periodical census last taken before the commencement of the year for which the grants are made. These grants are to supersede all those at present paid under various Acts, and will be the only contribution from the Treasury to the district funds; while the boroughs have heavy additional expenditure thrown upon them, notably the up-keep of hospitals, and the administration of charitable aid. As to the provision of the bill in relation to which there is certain to be strong opposition, particularly since these provisions were unreservedly condemned by the Municipal Conference : It is declared to be the duty of every Borough Council to provide sufficient hospital accommodation for the needs of their district: and charitable aid is to be administered by the Council by means of indoor and outdoor relicf — indoor relief in " Homes for the aged '- and needy ; Homes for incurables ; " Homes for deserted children,"and such other institutions as it may be thought fit to establish. Outdoor relief is to be granted ia such cases, in such manner, and on such terms as the Council thinks 6t. It will at once be seen that in the providing and maintaining of the institutions named, quite independently of outdoor relief, a very heavy expenditure will be entailed, and in the case of small boroughs, as was pointed out by the Conference, the provisions of the bill in these matters are altogether inapplicable, and, in many instances, could not possibly be carried out. Whilst not absolutely committing ourselves to a positive opinion, we are disposed to doubt whether the proposed capitation grant will be a sufficient quid pro quo, considering the increased financial responsibilities which the bill places on the boroughs. It certainly looks very much like a case of "Thank you for nothing," and the Borough Councils throughout the colony will do well to very closely examine the position and see that under the new legislation tney do not find themselves financially " out of the frying pan into the fire." Apart from the finance and the Charitable Aid clauses, the bill should prove a useful and valuable measure in the consolidation and amendment of the laws relating to Boroughs and Borough Councils. A very large number of general and local Acts are repealed, and a clearance is thus made in the Statute Book of a large amount of obsolete and unnecessary matter. The Borough Councils will have considerably enlarged powers of usefulness, and from the increased importance of the position should attract the most intelligent, capable and experienced of the citizens to take an active part in the management of local affairs. I |