LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 15

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

A NEW SOUTH WALES EEPORT;

A report giving particulars of tho system under which subsidies are paid to local governing bodies in Now South Wales was laid on the table of tho House of Representatives 'on, Tuesday by tho Hon. G. W. Russell. Ho stated that tho report had been prepared by the Local Government Board of New South Wales at the request of tho New Zealand Government. Mr. Russell remarked. that h« had brought'forward at tho conference the advisability of altering the system of subsidies obtaining in New Zealand. The Looal Government Conference.had virtually adopted a recommendation in favour of the New , South Wales system of subsidies, instead of that of direct grants which obtained in New Zealand. The New South Wales system was based upon a classification of local bodies. The subsidies ranged, according to the rates collected, from IDs. in the pound to 10s. in the pound and over. Some difficulties arose in connection with tho classification of the councils, in order to Eettle the basis of subsidy? but that these difficulties had to a great extent 'been overcome in New South Wales was indicated by the following paragraph in the report:— • "The difficulty of making euoh a classification is not small, and it cannot in any circumstances be expected to give univer* sal satisfaction. So far, two classifications have been, made under the New South Wales Act, 1306 and 1909, and the department has been gratified at the sur-" prisingly email amount of dissatisfaction expressed. Speaking from memory, I ,do not think we have received ten complaints against the 1909' classification." - Sir Joseph Ward asked whether the report referred to unsettled and settled districts. . Mr, Russell said that a distinction was drawn between shires and municipalities. Sir Joseph Ward said that in New Zealand there were counties twenty years old which were unroaded, and virtually they were receiving about the same amount from the Government, from time to'time, as was paid in the more settled "districts. Mr. Russell stated that in New Sonth Wales, shiros (counties) wfere divided into six classes; ■ The report sets out these'classes, aiid tha endowment-of eaoh class as follow I— ■First-class, from nothing up to 10s. in the £. . Second-class, 15s. in the £. Third-class, 20s. in' the £, Fourth-class, 255. in the £, ■ Fifth-olass, 303. in tha £. Sixth-class, 40s. oi- any higher rate in the .£. -■■.''. These endowments are all paid at so much in the ,£.upon the actual proceeds of the general rate collected by the, council in. tho year preceding the year of payment. Though the standard.rato is one penny in the £, and most of the committees' calculations had to be based pn that, yet, if a shire levies l|d. or 2d. in the £ (the limit is 2d.) the endowment is paid on the actual collections. • "It will b$ seon that the sixth-class is 10s. or over in (he £, as a matter of fact, several shires oto classified at much higher, than, Ms., thus some ,receiv'« lOO's. in; tho £, ono 113s. 'in the £, and oae. 1335. in the £. In these case? thore'are exceptional circumstances such as wild mountainous country where roadmakinsr is,costly; heavy, rainfall which washes the roads away; heavy traffic, and ■•very-vigorous, closer settlement, rendering a large amount of new construction neces.sary. .'"• .-. ; :.' : • • "■■•; ■ y The report l states that municipalities, save those>yrhpse term of endowment undei earlier enactments has not yet expired, are endowed as follows, under an Act which came into force in 1907.— First five years, 20s. in the £ on general rates collected. ' ■.'•'■' ''■[ Second 'five years, 10s.' in, the £ on general rates collected. ! Third fivo years, ss. in the ' £ on general rates oollected. These endowments date from the time at which a municipality is incorporated. Provision..is. made. ior.,.the_ endowment, under exceptional, circumstances, of necessitous municipalities ,ma-king special application. The the report states, is to discourage. applications by municipalities for endowment to discontinue the present endowments ai-eoon as 'possible.: , -.; .•'■'■•■-',■ ■■•'•■; Bridges costing ;62000 or more, large and important wharves, large steam anil oildriven ferry punts, and one road; that up. to Mount Kosciusko, whioh serves no other purpose than that of tourist traffic, have been, declared national iworks, and aro directly maintained bv the central Government. With these exceptions, all roads, bridges, and ferries are maintained, managed, and administered by the ehire and municipal councils. v ,