LOCAL BODY FINANCES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18600, 1 April 1932, Page 7

LOCAL BODY FINANCES.

THE GOVERNMENT INQUIRY. PROBABLE DUTY OF MINISTER. WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W, Forbes, indicated to-day that there is liitlc«prospect of the commission for the investigation of local body finance, which 'was promised by him in his financial policy statement of February 14, 1931, being set up for some time. It was stated by Me Forbes some time ago that the question of appointing a local body commission would be considered as soon as the appointment of the National Expenditure Commission had been made. However, although there is widespread belief that the time is overdue for a complete inquiry into local body finances and the incidence of rating, it is most unlikely that any move will be made to investigate the position, at least until the National Expenditure Commission has presented its final report at the beginning of May. Mr Forbes mentioned that the question of local body finances was of considerable importance at present, and 'that the burden of rates was proving a serious handicap to many who were suffering from the effects of the depression. He said the Government would consider dealing with certain aspects of local body rating, such as the giving of power to local authorities to remit the 10 per cent penalty on unpaid rates, but he could not see much hope of a’commission being appointed, at least In the meantime. It was gathered from another Ministerial source that the possibility of a commission being appointed was most remote and that the Government was likely 'to carry out an inquiry into local rating without outside assistance. It is believed that the Minister of Internal Affairs, the lion. A. Hamilton, will prosecute an investigation upon the conclusion of the emergency session and that his inquiry will replace the investigation originally proposed to be delegated to a special commission. •