FAR TOO MANY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3807, 11 September 1936, Page 7

FAR TOO MANY

REDUCING NUMBER OF LOCAL BODIES. GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS FOR AMALGAMATION. Details of the ’.ill by which the Government ho; as to encourage the amalgamation of local bodies and to provide for the simplification of local government generally, were discussed in an interview in Wellington with the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry. Everything possible will be done to encourage voluntary amalgamation, but in cases where local bodies are not prepared to co-operate, the Government will have the power to arrange for compulsory’ amalgamation on a basis to be decided by a special tribunal. Mr Parry said it was obvious that considerable savings could be effected and the whole business of local government simplified by a reduction in the number of local bodies. In some cases there were several local bodies exercising jurisdiction within a small area, with resultant duplication of services and excessive costs to the ratepayers. Under the Bill which would be introduced in the House of Representatives within the next few days, every encouragement would be given to local bodies to arrange for voluntary amalgamation where possible. However, in cases where amalgamation was desirable but where one or more local bodies refused to fall into line, compulsory provisions would apply. In the latter case the Minister himself would prepare a scheme of amalgamation which would then be referred to a special tribunal or commission, consisting of a judge of the Supreme Court, a departmental officer with a special knowledge of rating and valuation, and a representative of the local bodies concerned. The commission would examine the scheme submitted by the Government through the Minister, and decide finally on the various details of amalgamation. Full powers for compulsory amalgamation could then be exercised. "There are 601 local bodies in New Zealand at present,’’ Mr Parry said, “and a reduction in their number would almost certainly result in greater all-round efficiency. Naturally it will take a considerable time to deal wjth all the eases which will arise under the new legislation, and the commission to be appointed is likely to have a full time job.” The Bill embodying these proposals was considered in detail at a caucus of the Government party. Subsequently the Prime Minister, Rt. ifon. M. J. Savage, stated that it was desired to have the measure introduced as soon as possible so that it could be referred to the Local Bills Committee, which would then have an opportunity of considering the views of all local bodies. No attempt would be made to rush the measure through the House, and ample time would be given for the expression of all interested opinion.