LOCAL BODIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18653, 3 June 1932, Page 10

LOCAL BODIES.

GROUPING PROPOSED. TO PREVENT OVERLAPPING. (By Telegraph. —Press Association.) GISBORNE, Thursday. The possibility of grouping local oodles in the Dominion for the better and less expensive discharge of their functions, particularly during a depression, was mentioned by the Hon. A. Hamilton, Minister of Internal Affairs, in replying to a welcome extended by the Uawa County Council. There was no doubt that there was overlapping by many boards, and councils in carrying out their work, he said, and the councils might be asked to consider some proposals for their grouping, but that did not mean concentration of their work in Wellington. He thought that a good deal of expenditure could be saved by a system of grouping which would not in any way militate against the efficient performance or scope of the work of local bodies. He was giving the matter consideration. “We must aim at securing a conference of local bodies, when 'Consideration can be given to the formation of one controlling authority over each large area,’’ said Mr Hamilton. Such an authority would have the right to speak for the whole district it represented, and the Government might see Its way clear to .delegate to it considerably more power than at present. This is one of many lines along which we must examine the weaknesses of the economic system and put it in order.”