Local Bodies ‘Need More Freedom’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31114, 18 July 1966, Page 7

Local Bodies ‘Need More Freedom’

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 17. The secretary of the Municipal Association (Mr C. L. Bishop) said that local authorities should have more freedom.

“There are already many restrictions on local authorities’ activities,” he said. “It is time they were given added freedom in their own particular fields rather than the imposition of more restrictions.” Mr Bishop was replying to Professor R. Sidebotham, professor of accountancy at Victoria University, who said yesterday that greater control over local authorities’ spending was necessary in New Zealand. Professor Sidebotham said there was no limit on the amount of rates local bodies could levy, nor any restriction on the use of rate income for capital works. Mr Bishop said Professor Sidebotham’s statements were “full of inaccuracies.” Most capital expenditure by way of loan required Loans Board approval, and 15 per cent of ratepayers could call for a poll on most loan projects.

General rates, or rates for day-to-day expenditure, were limited by a fixed maximum set out in the rating act Mr Bishop said Professor Sidebotham' had spoken of 1100 local authorities, but he had not stated that there were only 290 territorial or principal local authorities. “Like many other people, he appears to have endeavoured to exaggerate the position,” Mr Bishop said. “He does not mention that of the other local authorities, rabbit boards and fire committees constitute about 500.”