PROPOSALS FOR REDUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 23342, 28 October 1937, Page 6

PROPOSALS FOR REDUCTION

Local Authorities In Dominion

AMALGAMATION BILL REINTRODUCED COMMITTEE OF HOUSE TO HEAR EVIDENCE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 27. With the object of reducing the number of local authorities in New Zealand the Local Government (Amalgamation Scheme) Bill was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Governor-General’s Message today. The original Bill was introduced right at the end of the last session and was circulated primarily for the purpose of public information. The new measure embodies all the principles of last year’s proposals, the main changes arising out of technicalities in law drafting.

Under the proposals it will be possible to prepare amalgamation schemes for all classes of local authorities, except .hospital boards. The Bill provides for the preparation of amalgamation

schemes by or on behalf of local bodies, aims of any scheme being set out as follows:—

The joining into one district of two or more adjoining districts. The merger of a district in another district.

The transfer of the functions of one local authority to another.

Alterations in boundaries. The conversion of a district into a district of a different kind.

Local bodies may prepare their own amalgamation schemes voluntarily or they may be instructed to do so by the Minister of Internal Affairs. In any case where amalgamation is held to be desirable and local bodies do not cooperate in the matter the Ministei' himself may have an amalgamation scheme prepared. Every scheme must be publicly notified. Copies must be sent to the local bodies affected and full opportunity must be given for objections to be made. Where several districts are concerned with one scheme one of them may be appointed the principal local authority for the purpose of attending to various machinery measures associated with amalgamation. SPECIAL TRIBUNAL Whether schemes have been prepared voluntarily or not the Minister may decide, in the absence of objections, that they shall come into operation or, if further inquiries seem necessary, he may refer them to a special tribunal to be appointed under the title of the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes) Commission. This is to consist of a permanent chairman, an officer of the Public Service and a nominee of the local bodies concerned in the particular scheme before the commission. If any local authorities are unable to make a unanimous choice of a representative the Minister is empowered to select their nominee, providing he appoints a person with a local knowledge of the districts to be affected. The commission is given full power to review all schemes submitted to it and to suggest to the Minister any necessary modifications or amendments. Objections brought forward at inquiries held by the commission must be supported by evidence. After a report has been received from the commission the Minister is required to send copies to the local authorities affected and to publish notices in the newspapers setting forth the recommendations of the commission. Thereafter the only objections which can be made to the recommendations must be on the grounds that the specified matters have not been given sufficient consideration. If necessary, the Minister may require the commission to make a revised or a supplementary report or he may dispose of the objections without referring them to the commission. The final report of the commission must also be notified. Various clauses in the Bill outline the procedure to be followed in giving effect to amalgamation schemes which have been finally approved and the Minister is given power to determine the apportionment of the costs involved. :

The special provisions enabling county councils to absorb smaller local bodies within their own areas are retained in the Bill and there is power to appoint a special commission of inquiry to report on any matter affecting local government.

“A VERY DIFFICULT PROBLEM” “I have given thorough explanations of the proposals contained in the Bill to local authorities all over the Dominion,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) specking on the introduction of the measure. “As a matter of fact the Bill is an attempt to deal with a very difficult problem which has been vexing ’he minds cf local body members and others for many years.” Mr H. S. S. Kyle (Nat., Riccarton): Are there any compulsory provisions? “The Bill is largely fashioned on the legislation introduced by the previous Government to deal with the amalgamation of hospital boards,” said Mr Parry. “If that legislation is regarded as compulsory it must be admitted that this Bill also has definite aspects of compulsion. However, that is not my view.” The Minister said that the principle of ’ amalgamation was accepted by most local bodies, but there were differences of opinion about the particular application of the Government’s proposals However, it was proposed tc refer the Bill to a special select committee representative of the whole of the Dominion

“There are approximately 700 local bodies in New Zealand at present,” said Mr Parry, “and the object of the Bill is to bring about a reduction in this number. With regard to the commission which is to be appointed, I should say that a Judge of the Supreme Court

ought to be appointed permanent chairman. The commission will be entrusted with very important work. It has been suggested that the Bill aims only at the amalgamation of counties That is not so. It affects all local authorities, with the exception of hospital boards.” The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., Kaipara) said the Bill was very farreaching and it was important that a representative committee of the House should hear evidence from local bodies before it was passed.

Mr Parry: I will see to that. “It is no use local bodies coming forward to give evidence if the Minister has a fixed impression and has made up his mind,” said Mr Coates “However, the Minister is a fair-minded man and we have his assurance that the views of the local bodies themselves will be considered.” The Bill was read a first time