FEWER LOCAL BODIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 8

FEWER LOCAL BODIES

MINISTER FOSTERING A BILL | A VISIT TO SOUTH ISLAND. ! AMALGAMATION QUESTION TO BE DISCUSSED. ( Per Press Association. J BLENHEIM, March 9. According to a letter received by the Marlborough County Council, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, will shortly be making a visit to the South Island on local government matters. He proposes to take advantage of the opportunity to meet a number of South Island local authorities with a view to discussing local body amalgamation proposals. "After that bps been done it is my intention,” states the Minister, "to release a tentative scheme of county amalgamation for consideration of local authorities in anticipation of further submission to Parliament of a Local Governhient Amalgamation Schemes Bill. "I am particularly interested in the Marlborough district," adds Mr. Parry, "in view in the recent movement in that direction that has taken place there.” The Minister expects to be in Blenheim on March 17. BILL WELL RECEIVED MINISTER SATISFIED OF THAT NO CONFLICT WITH MR SEMPLE [ Per Press Association. ) TIMARU, March 9. Speaking al the opening of the Municipal Conference to-day, the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) said that the problem of reconstructing local bodies, whlcn was the first step in real local government reform, was of direct application to the future lile and well-being of citizens.

The whole object of the Bill, he said, was to reduce the number of local bodies with a view to creating bigger and more satisfactory local government units. He welcomed constructive criticism, and, already, he was able to see several avenues ror improving the Bill.

“Since the Bill was circulated last year a steady stream of correspondence from local authorities ancr me public has flowed into my office,” Mr Parry continued. “It is clear that the whole scheme of the Bill is rightly viewed as being one to set a foundation and a way for modernising the system of local government to bring together a number of local bodies which, united, could do better and more efficient administrative work for the Dominion than is possible under the existing system to-day. That Is the cardinal aim of the Bill.” He had cause to feel pleased that it was being considered in that light. Mr Parry said that his mission to the South was largely to consult with local oodies on amalgamation proposals. “I want to discuss with them the principal features of the Biil, to receive their views and suggestions, and their invitations to me to do so were readily accepted.” Continuing Mr Parry said he had been twitted a good deal lately that he and the Minister of Public Works were working in opposite directions. He had been told that Mr Semple's utterances of intentions for roadlng policy and river control were simpiy aiming at centralisation, and he nad been told that they were taking the backbone out of local government. To this he gave an emphatic denial. He and Mr Semple werp working in exactly the same direction, and they had been agreed on this all along. AMALGAMATION OPPOSED MANAWATU COUNTY AREA. (Own Correspondent.) SANSON, March 9. Arising out of a discussion at today’s meeting of the Manawatu County Council regarding a circular letter received from the Counties’ Association with reference to the Local Bodies’ Amalgamation Schemes Bill, the chairman, Mr. W. E. Barber, •stated that the general view of the internal local bodies within the Manawatu County was “hands off and leave us alone.” Mr. Barber said that a special committee had waited on the various local bodies within the county and the opinion among these bodies was that they did not wish to undertake amalgamation. The good work of drainage boards was to be seen in increased production and a case in point was what had been accomplished in the Makerua swamps. There was an efficiency in the drainage boards now which it would be unwise to disturb. On the Other hand with amalgamation, up-to-date machinery could be bought and used, and that point had been recognised by the drainage boards. Cr. Jas. Boyce suggested thit local committees would have to be appointed in various parts of the district and they would have to be given power of administration. It was decided, after a full discussion, to reply to the Counties’ Association circular that amalgamation in the Manawatu area was not desirable, and that interviews with the local bodies concerned had shown that they did not wish it. It was suggested that the proposed legislation should be amended to allow for the institution of local committees whose assistance, it was considered, would be most valuable in the administration of purely district matters, such as drainage.