RIVER CONTROL BILL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 8

RIVER CONTROL BILL

“FAIRLY WIDE POWERS,” SAY MINISTER (P.A.I Parliament. Bldgs., Aug. 7. “The maiii provision of this Bill is to set up a Soil Conservation and River Control Council which will have the general direction and administration of the whole Act,” said the Minister of Public Works,, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, when explaining the So ;i . Conservation and Rivers Control Bill, which was introduced in the House late to-night. The Bill, which is divided into 10 parts and contains 169 clauses, was read a first time. Mr. Armstrong said that the Bi I’ set up catchment boards in different catchnxnt areas throughout 1 lie country. At present river control was in the hands of river and drainage boards and local authorities of various kinds. The Bill aimed at. closer co-ordination between the existing boards to remain in existence, but it. would have power to abolish an\ deemed to bo unnecessary or not serving the best, purposes. “The Bill is wider in its scope than when if was referred Io Committee.' Mr. Armstrong continued. He that (here was a rating power in He’ Bill, and Hie powers under the moaI sure wore fair!.'.' wide.