H—2B

54

We desire to express our appreciation for the loyal and 1 capable service which has beer rendered to us at all times by the Secretary and other members of the staff during a most difficult year, but would point out that although it has been possible for the Commission to be fully engaged on all the matters which have been referred to it, it is clear that the staff of the Commission cannot continue to. satisfactorily carry out the necessary work in the face of such difficulties as have been experienced during the past year unless its numerical strength is increased. We regard the administrative requirements in connection with our activities as being of the 1 utmost importance to the success of the Commission's operations, and have therefore considered it desirable to make reference to the staffing position during the year under review. XX. CONCLUSION The number of matters to which reference has been made in this report indicates the rapid growth which has taken place in the work of the Commission. The proposals which are submitted to it in the form of requests are numerous, but form only a small portion of the work of major reorganization of local government which we consider should be progressively undertaken. We are satisfied that there is a rapidly growing public interest in local government matters throughout the country, as is evidenced by the number of requests made to the Commission, and the inquiries made concerning the activities of the Commission by local authorities and the public generally. The growth of public interest has, in our opinion, been stimulated by the holding of public inquiries, the widespread notifications which are made concerning these inquiries, and the publicity which the press and the National Journal dealing with local government matters which is circulated throughout the Dominion has given to the activities of the Commission. We desire to express our appreciation to the press and the National Journal, to which reference has been made. We also desire to refer to the co-operation which has been received from both members and officers of local governing authorities throughout the Dominion. The relationship between the Commission and the Department of Internal Affairs, which undertakes the administrative aspects of local government, has been most helpful at all times. The co-operation extended to us by other Government Departments has been of considerable value, and we pay the highest tribute to the assistance these Departments have promptly given to the Commission not only in connection with public inquiries, but also in relation to general administrative matters connected with our activities. In concluding this, our third annual report, we would refer finally to the general objective in carrying out the responsibilities which have been assigned to us. This objective—the reorganization of local government in New Zealand —has been the subject of constant discussion since before the commencement of this century, and with the passing of legislation some four years ago to enable this objective to- be achieved, we are convinced that if we receive the co-operation and practical assistance of all those interests associated with local government, as well as of the public generally, we will be able to satisfactorily discharge the functions and duties assigned to us. I. J. Goldstine, Judge, Chairman. J. W. Andrews, Commissioner. W. C. E. George, Commissioner. G. A. Monk, Commissioner. A. E. N. Wilkins, Secretary. April, 1950.