MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, 22 March 1935, Page 5

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

MANY IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. LOCAL BODY ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY URGED. CHRISTCHURCH, March 21. At the Municipal Conference to-day a telegram was sent by Mr. D. G. Sullivan, president, at the unanimous request of the conference to protest to the Government against the non-pay-ment of rates by Government Departments concerned with mortgage lands, of which the Departments had taken possession. The conference declared that local bodies were the victims of a grave injustice, of which they should be relieved. The telegram was sent to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and the Leader of the Opposition. It was decided that representations be made to the Government asking for stricter control of Alsatian dogs or for legislation forbidding them being kept in the Dominion. The principle of a national scheme of health insurance was approved by the conference. Details of the scheme were not discussed, because it was stated that the Hospital Boards’ Association had a scheme under consideration and was seeking support for it. A suggestion that municipal and county elections should be held on the same day and that the day should be the second Wednesday in May biennially was approved. The conference refused to adopt a suggestion that the Government should make a rebate to all ratepayers as had been done to eounty ratepayers on two occasions. A remit was passed, however, urging the Government, when considering any future relief to county ratepayers, to take into consideration the position of ratepayers in cities, boroughs and town districts. Remits urging the setting up of a Royal Commission to enquire into all local body administration were carried after a brief discussion. It was argued that municipalities as well as rural local bodies should be within the sphere of the inquiry. A scheme for the provision of earthquake insurance by a national scheme, such as was submitted in Mr. Barnard’s Bill of last year was approved. Several delegates spoke in support of a remit declaring that the conference viewed with alarm the number of advertising hoardings throughout the countryside and suggesting that all local bodies frame bylaws restricting the erection of them. It was unanimously decided that the Government be requested to make it compulsory for all push bicycles to have the rear mudguard painted with aluminium or other luminous paint. The following remit was carried: That the Government be requested to apply the tuberculin test periodically to all cows producing milk for city and town consumption.—(P.A.)