PUBLIC WORKS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS

LOCAL GRANTS AND SUBSIDIES BILL, ' A deputation from tho Counties' Association iraitod on the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. H. D. Bell) last week-end, and requested tho withdrawal of the Public Grauts and Subsidies Bill, ..until after, a further conference of the association was held. Mr. A. E. Jull, chairman of the association, said that the local bodies wero not quite clear as to how the proposed alteration in the method making public grants would affect tho payment of subsidies. He said tho Bill was somewhat in the direction of what, local bodies wanted, but that under the proposals of the Bill all and sundry might ask for grants. He suggested tha.t tho counties should bo classified. The status of local bodies was likely to bo seriously encroached upon by the new method of making grants, and they, wanted further timo to discuss the measure. Tho change should be made only after the fullest consideration of local bodies. It was all a question of finance. Tho Minister only, had so much money to expend and they were therefor© concerned to have all tho proposals of the Bill considered together. The whole executive of the Comities' Association was. in favour of the Bill being withdrawn until further consideration could be given. The Hon. H. D. 8011, in his reply, expressed some disappointment because the conference had not altogether approved of the Bill. However, he did not think the request for a- conference unreasonable, but said that the County Conference ought to have considered the question of subsidies and mado suggestions. As to grants, no reasonable man would desire the continuance of tho present system, and tho existing power of patronage should not bo allowed to remain in the possession of tho Minister of Public Works. The principle of the Bill was to do away with that power. The Government had decided to establish an entirely non-poli-tical bonrd. to fairly distribute tho money available for public works. The Minister said that ho would send forward tho deputation's request.