GENERAL.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 14612, 30 August 1913, Page 7

GENERAL.

A PECULIAR POSITION

COUNCILS AND THE EXHIBITION

The Auditor-General appears to be taking' up a somewhat peculiar and dictatorial attitude over the votos of local bodies to representation of their respective districts at the Auckland Exhibition. The other day wo read of an instance in which a. Milton (Ota-go) Council had had the propriety, not to say the legality, of its ■vtoitu questioned and a full explanation was demanded before the vote would be allowed. Now we read that the Whangarei [Borough Council's vote has "been "tagged" arid the position that haa arisen in consequence is a peculiar one. The facts are that; the Whangarei Borough Council agreed to contribute ,£1146 to the combined fund to provide a North Auckland Court at the approaching Exhibition, and made an initial payment of £12 to> the North. Auckland court executive. This payment was disallowed by the Auditor-General when the Council's annual balancesheet was reviewed. It was. argued by the Council that such payments were legalised 'by. tho Exhibitions Act of 1910, but the Auditor-General replied that the l ' only applies to cases where the work is performed by a local authority itself, andpthe? Act does not authorise the ha,n||jjg- over of moneys for expenditure fly other people. The Borough Council pointed out that, according 1 to the AuditorGeiiioraTs interpretntn'on of the Act. referred to, the members of the council would be personally liable for the balance of the .£146 rate, if it was handed over to tho North Auckland court executive, and, further, that members of all the other northern local bodies would bo in a similar predicament. The Council decided not to take any action, pending further developments." From this it would appeal' that any combination would be prohibited and individual and only independent action in the matter of representation bo possible. Tt is scarcely necessary to point out the effect of sucli an arbitirary condition. It would prevent the co-operation of local bodies in tho matter and avouM run contrary to the desire of the Government and local bodies and the wishes of the people. It is evident that, the powers to local bodies in the matter of extraordinary expenditure will have to be considerably extended.