The Stratford Everting Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1913. THE COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 97, 28 August 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Everting Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 1913. THE COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE.

i hose who were present at the County Jounciks’ representatives’ conference ■ n Wellington last week are generally agreed that no more important gathering of a smaller nature has ever previously been held in New Zealand. Many weighty questions wore under discussion, and that discussion became the', more valuable because the delegates were mostly men of lengthy experience in local body work, and for many years have known and felt the diJlicultios under which their public service is rendered. The work done ly the conference and the resolutions passed by it should be of very material

assistance to the Government in .raining: its promised measure of local government reform. The Jii 11 circulated by the (lovernmeut was, of course, before the gathering, and most of its provisions were favourably received, it is hoped that the present Parliament may he able to proceed with the Bill and thus give effect to the wishes of tiiis most influential conference. The outstanding difficulty it present in County Council administration is that of finance, and the suggestion is that to afford some relief the subsidy to Councils should be increased, or in the alternative the Government should take over all responsibility for the upkeep of main! ariei;ial roals. Though the latter} ■onrse would probably ho the most: Mpiitahie and generally satisfactory

to the local bodies concerned, it remains to bo soon whether the Covem[jiont will agree to throw tins work m the shoulders oi tlio Tuhlic Works Department. Taxes (in motor cars arc suggested as a special means of raising revenue for the maintenance ot main highways, and a measure dealing with tins question is to be intioduced by the Hon. H. D. Bell. ilio overlapping of local uuthoriteis as usual came in for a good deal of discussion, but the proposal to wipe out a number of Counties will be received with mixed feelings. iTiqucstionably tho cost of administration of local bodies in Now Zealand to-day‘is exceedingly high, hut the whole question is one bristling with difficulty. County franchise and the control of hospitals and charitable aid arc other important points which need looking into. In the past, witli the" means at their command and the powers vested in them, the County Councils have done a great i work, and have helped the progress |of the country amazingly. But then

can be no doubt that, with the growth | of settlement ami population, many methods possibly good enough in the past require altering, and it is imperative that Parliament shall deal with local Government and its administration without further delay.