MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 81, 17 November 1911, Page 3

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

THE COMMISSION SYSTEM. HIGH SALARIED ADMINISTRATORS. (QUESTION OF ADOPTION IN NEW ZEALAND. Municipal government by commission and the question of the desirability of such a system of civic administration being introduced into New Zealand, was the subject of an interesting interview obtained by an Auckland “Star” representative from tho Mayor (Mr C. J. Parr) on Friday. In America government by commission has been adopted in 27 States with remarkable success, and as Mr Parr was in that country when tho system was inaugurated, and has followed its development very closely since, he is in a position to speak with a knowledge of the subject. Tho Mayor describes control by commission as one of the most interesting modern phases of municipal government. It meant that councils and elective bodies were done away with, and in their stead were elected Boards of Commissioners. Generally these Boards consisted of live members, elected for a period of four or five years, at salaries which amounted in some cases to £IOOO per year per member. I lie members of the Board gave the whole of their time to the admiuistraiion of the city. One was elected' as Mayor, and each commissioner had a special department to administer, and practically had a free hand in Uis selection of departmental'officers. The commissioners were forced to do good work, because they were open to recall. If any commissioner proved to h« inefficient, it was possible to cancel his appointment by a referendum to the people. Th,e system had now been in operation in 27 States and 2£ million people were under tho commissioner form of government. No loss than L3.‘! cities had adopted the system and found it a, success. Another feature of the American plan was that the power of initiation was left in the hands of the people. If they wanted a big work, similar, say, to the Grafton Bridge, carried out, they had only to employ tho initiative vote, and secure it by referendum. Under this system each commissioner was a shining mark for criticism; hence sensitive responsible government. The officials gave good government because that was tho way to keep popular.

In America, continued Mr Parr, there was no doubt that graft played a great part in municipal politics. Until a few years ago the ward boss who was able to command so many hundreds of votes in his ward held supremo authority in civic matters. The advent of the'com mission form of government had killed the boss and the ward system. This meant a great deal, because the old way spelt extravagance and waste, and worse. Just one particular case, said Mr Parr, was worth mentioning. This was in the city of Houston. Under the old system, Houston had about the averagte municipal government. The city was failing to meet expenses, claims against it being hawked about at i’O per; gent discount. • Within four years of jthe : adoption of the new scheme, nearly half a milliop of indebtedness had been paid, one and a half million had been devoted to municipal improvements, all the public services were improved, and the cost to tho' people of such services reduced; the city credit was restored, street paving was better, a 10-acre park was acquired, bickering disappeared from city affairs, and prosperity and progress resulted. This was all the more remarkable for the reason that there was little change in the personnel of the city government. The Mayor and some of the commissioners were continued over from the old regime. It was the new system, therefore, that wrought the miracle. Asked whether he thought it desirable that shell a system should be introduced into New Zealand, the Mayor said that the scheme had much to recommend it. He thought the Parliamentary system of government was entirely obsolete for the conduct of public business. With regard to immicipal matters, he was not prepared to say that our present elective system was a bad one. So far it had worked with fair efficiency. Certainly there had been no serious attempt at graft in this country. Questioned whether he did.not think the commission form of government might bo more effective *in procuring efficiency than tho system at-present in operation, the Mayor'replied r “Perhaps it would. Capable boards of directors might get more for the people for their money than the present eleotivo councils, devoting as they would

all their time, bruins, and energy to the city services.”

“Would you be prepared to advocate such a change?” he was asked. “Ko, not at present,” answered Mr Parr. “1 am not yet prepared to go so far as that. J canot help thinking, however, that eventually, when a change is brought about in our system of municipal government, it will be in this direction.”