COUNTIES’ ASSOCIATION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 71, Issue 6136, 14 September 1945, Page 5

COUNTIES’ ASSOCIATION

WARD REPRESENTATION MR W. A. LEE ELECTED FOR WAIKATO ‘ Mr W. A. Lee, chairman of the Waitomo County Council, was unanimously chosen as the representative of No. 2 area on the executive of the New Zealand Counties’ Association at a meeting of ward delegates in Hamilton. The following were present: Messrs J. A. Sampson (Waikato), S. C. B. Macky (Waipa), N. H. Beatson (Kawhia), V. W. Simms (Otorohanga), H. Johnstone (Raglan), E. D. White (Matamata) and J. M. Stewart (Piako), with Mr C. F. E. Barton acting as secretary. Mr Sampson was appointed chairman. | After the election Mr Lee gave a i resume of the activities of the CounI ties’ Association executive, especially j in the representations to the Government to secure a reduction in the 1 annual levies on local bodies for hospital maintenance. There was a desire in some quarters to urge the Government to take over the whole control of public hospitals, he said, while others were chary of such an action, feeling that local control was preferable in the interests of hospital patients and as a better check on hospital costs. Mr Macky said he felt that a small tax cn land for hospital needs was justified, but the tax was growing beyond what was fair and reasonable. Having a good hospital in a centre appreciated land values in the neighbourhood, but every addition to the levy depreciated the land values. Mr Beatson said the present franchise was very wide, and the Government would not be justified ini taking over hospital control unless the local boards refused to carry on their onerous duties.

Mr Lee said no undertaking had been given the Government by the Counties’ Association that the question of hospital levies would not be raised until after the war. A sub-committee cf the association had given an assurance somewhat to that effect, but a majority of the executive had not approved. In any case, the war w*as now over.

Mr Barton recalled an occasion in Hamilton when the Prime Minister said there would be no more hospital boards if the Government took over control of hospitals. Mr Stewart considered it wise to await publication of the findings of the Parliamentary Committee on Local Government.

The meeting expressed the opinion that ward conferences should meet every three or four months, preferably about the same time as association executive meetings were held, so that members could keep their councils fully informed. The chairman directed attention to a published statement that Taumaruuni and Kaitieke County Councils wanted to join No. 2 (Waikato) ward, and it was pointed out that the ward they were allotted to would first have to approve the transfer.

Mr Lee said there was some talk in* King Country of Taumarunui, Kaitieke and Ohura Counties seeking transfer to Waikato ward, claiming community of interests. The three counties, together with Waitomo, were associated in the No. 6 Highway District.

The subject was deferred until after the next executive meeting in Wellington.