COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1921, Page 1

COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

CONDEMNS NEW IK>AU SCHEME, j [BY THl.KOUAl'tl—t’Kll PUKSS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, September 28. The Coiifei ein c of the New Zoahuid Counties commenced at. Wellington today, Mr dull ( W'aipawal presiding ever a large attendance ol delegates. During tlm forenoon Air Coates (Minister of Public Works) attended and gave smile further information coneem7i,g the pro|ioscil Highways Bill, although unable to give the full text ol tin,* measure, pending Air Massey's return. j„ the course of his statement, the Minister said they proposed to take ever 2000 miles of roads for ni;i int»na nee, xvliieli would be large!) i"crc:is- ■ | be main idea was to meet a if'j main! foe a, commodating speedier lonns of 1 1 am il ill modern days. | Subsequently the eimfelcuediscussed . 1 tlm propo.- als i u detail. I I with the exception of llawke's Bay. j Alarlliorocg.i and Wanganui, the. ib b - I gales were unanimous in the adoption of a red>uinmndatiiili prepared by the Fx« cutive disapproving entirely of the proposals of the suggested measure. The opinion was that its adoption would mean the end of county government. I and it was not in the best interests of the Dominion. The President, ill an interesting review commented on the evils ol tin subsidy system in local government, lie advocated increasing the size nl ..mntms where prai'liealile and deplored the ten-, ileiwy to parochialism. j The Conference unanimously passed a j leant urging tlm exemption ..I employees of County Councils from the operation of tlm Arbitration Court awards S Tlm Coniei em e rejected a remit ad- j vocal ing tlm abolition of riding' c.x- . (opt for rcprcselltlltioll purposes. i Several machinery amendments to ' the Comities Act were carried, and also ( remit urging that intes on land purchased by tbe Crown for soldiers settlement be effectually secured Ui the local boilv. Other remits carried recommended a subside for base hospitals at 21 - m the pound, and all olliers pound for ~,,1111(1 ; also deploring tlm present system of making tlm levy for hospital and ,■harilnblo ai.l purposes over hospit il districts on tlm saleable value as 111 - I ,:, ami deli inmiital to tlm int* r"'ls ~)■ our,lies as against boroughs, owing j j,, |,e dilfereiil iatioii a- to the number i.| |»;i 1 i'Dits