MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17664, 13 September 1919, Page 3

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, September 11

The Municipal Conference passed a resolution—"That the Government be asked to bring in amending legislation so that the Audit Department will include profit and loss accounts in the annual inspection, where municipal corporations are carrying on a number of trading concerns."

A remit from Auckland City Council —"That owners of theatres should be compelled to provide sanitary accommodation"—was carried unanimously.

On the recommendation of the New Plymouth Borough Council, it was also resolved to seek power for the licensing of grandstands on racecourses and sports grounds.

It was decided that, in view of the numerous accidents and fatalities due to motor traffic, and of the fact that such traffic and its attendant accidents are rapidly increasing, urgent representation be made to the Government to at once pass legislation of a comprehensive nature, in order to efficiently such traffic. It was also resolved to urge that every borough council should be a registering authority, irrespective of population.

It was decided to ask Parliament to introduce legislation, making the Saturday half-holiday universal throughout the whole Dominion.

It was resolved that the attention of the Government be called to the unworkable condition of many of the provisions of the Public Health Amendment Act, 1918. A proposal that .nsurance companies should be compelled to contribute to the support of all fire brigades under the control of local bodies was .adopted.

A remit—"That the importation of films of moving pictures, and their distribution to managers, be nationalised and controlled by the Government"—was carried.

It was decided that the Government be urged forthwith to pass legislation, enabling local authorities to collect general, separate, and special rates upon all lands acquired by the Crown for workers' dwellings, or any other purpose.

A remit was carried—"That, in order to ensure uniformity of action, police reports be obtained on the character of every person applying for a license,as a car-diiver, hawker, billiard-room proprietor, etc. A proposal that the hospitals of the Dominion should be nationalised, and treatment should be free of cost, was defeated, after a lengthy discussion.

A remit—"That, contributing local bodies should have direct representation on Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards"—was carried.

A remit, condemning the present system of hospital administration, and urging an amendment of the law to provide for representation of the Government and local bodies on boards in approximate proportion to their respective contributions, and stating that the present system of subsidy from the Consolidated Fund was arbitrary and inequitable, was adopted. -

The housing question was discussed, and it was resolved that the Government should provide capital for the building of houses by municipalities.

With regard to workers' dwellings, the conference resolved to urge that provision should be made for a Council assisting a worker to purchase land on which a dwelling has already been erected.

A remit was carried, asking the Government to make it compulsory for all local bodies to apply the provisions of the Superannuation Act to their employees, and requesting the Government^ to enlarge the scope of the National Provident Fund, to include payment for sickness in addition to superannuation.

WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. The Municipal Conference concluded to-day. The Mayor, Mr -Wm. Luke, was re-elected president, and' the executive will be the same as before. '

At this morning's sitting the Municipal Corporations Act Amended Bill, introduced by Mr Luke, was dealt with. Tliere was some discussion on the clause proposing to give power to united boroughs to raise all rates by way of a general rate, but it was decided to recommend the insertion of a clause providing that in the matter of special loans a poll be taken if five per cent, of the ratepayers desire it. The Conference approved of the Bill with the addition-