LOCAL BODIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18878, 23 February 1933, Page 10

LOCAL BODIES.

ADMINISTRATION COSTS. OVERLAPPING SHOULD CEASE. EXPENSES REDUCTION ESSENTIAL. “I have a few interesting figures in regard to local bodies that I consider should be made public,” said Cr. 11. D. Caro at the meeting of the Borough Council last evening. “In a radius of 50 miles of Hamilton we have 27 county councils, town districts, boroughs and electric power districts, not including land drainage districts, river districts, water supply districts, and rabbit districts. These 27 different local bodies employ 3242 general workers who receive in wages £172,450. There are 153 administrative officers receiving £41.213. ‘‘lt costs, therefore, 233 per cent, in wages only to administer the affairs of 27 bodies who have a total population of 57.050. , Surely it must appear to all clear-thinking men that it cannot go on. “I would hate to delve more deeply into figures and know how much local administration is costing the country. “I am of the opinion that the time lias come when Hie administration ot local affairs should be altered. it seems unreasonable and a sheer extravagance that the huge sum of £41,213 should 'be spent in administering the work and labour of 57,050 people, out of which a mere 3242 general workers are employed. How would any private concern get on if ;t employed a staff of 3242 employees, receiving £172,480 per year, and the offl c e s t a ft' d re w £41,213? “1 am of the opinion that this overlapping must stop, and thafTTt is the duty of this council to go into ways and means of reducing administration costs. “1 cannot say I am in favour of dismissing any staff during hard times like these, but all the same, when things improve, ibis council should immediately endeavour to reduce its administrative staff and should persist in its endeavour to persuade the Government of the extravagant, waste Unit is going on in the small area of a 50-mile radius of Hamilton. “No wonder the people cry out about high rates. It is a wonder to me how they can continue to pay and I feel that unless something is done in I lie way of amalgamation the long suffering rate payer will have nothing left to pav his rates with. “i hope my appeal for better local bodv and borough management will not fall on deaf ears, and that something will be done in the near future to alcviate the position. Cr. G. J. \V. Barton pointed out that t!ie question was one which was rather too late for the present council to deal with. The Incoming council in May would have lo consider it. It should certainly he studied. “It could not he brought about without causing more unemployment,” said the deputy Mayor, Cr. A. .1. Dcnz. ‘‘Bread and milk are expensive because so many men deliver it down the same streets. If zoning were adopted they would be cheaper, but

many would be thrown out of employment. I agree that local body -expenses are high, but we must consider the aoreage in the 50 mile area around Hamilton as well. It is not like a congested city such as Dunedin, the people are scattered." Cr. W. A. Curteis questioned whether it was right to have small managerial committees In charge and oontended that experiences abroad proved that they created a system of oligarchies.

The Mayor, Dr. F. D. Pinfold, said the question had been raised before, but he would bring it up again at the forthcoming municipal conference. It w : as impossible to move fast. The Govei’nment had already proposed a commission to go into the matter.