DIPLOMAS FOR OFFICIALS

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 4

DIPLOMAS FOR OFFICIALS

LOCAL BODY ADMINISTRATION. LEGISLATION BEFORE HOUSE. (By Wire—Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. Power is given to a special local Government examination board to grant diplomas .and-certificates to officials in the Local Government Officers Bill, which was introduced in the House to-day. The Bill provides for .the establishment of a board which will be vested with the powers of a corporate body. The board shall consist of one member to be appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs, one to be appointed on the recommendation of the New Zealand Institute of Town Clerks, one to be appointed on the recommendation of the New Zealand Institute of County Clerks, and additional members who may. be appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of any organisation formed for the purpose of promoting the welfare of officers employed by any local authorities and having objects similar to those of the above-mentioned institutes. The members shall be appointed for two years. Power is given to the board to co-opt the services of up to three persons whose expert knowledge may be considered of value. The board may appoint a registrar as well as examiners and other officials, and it may promote examinations in subjects relating to local government, for which diplomas may be given. The Governor-General may approve any scheme of examination submitted by the board. Such a scheme may provide for the recognition of any examination conducted by any university or other institution as an equivalent under the scheme, or a special examination in the law of New Zealand relating to local government and administration affairs of local authorities may be substituted. The board may grant a diploma without examination to (a) any person who is employed as a clerk of any borough, council, town board or road board in the Eden County; (b) any person who is employed as a clerk of any other local authority of a class that may be prescribed; (c) to any person employed in a senior-clerical position by a local authority five years before the passing of the Bill. If the board refuses to grant a diploma there is provision for appeal to a board of three members, one appointed by the Minister, one by the board and one by the applicant.