Municipal Conference.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1921, Page 3

Municipal Conference.

(BY TKLEGR.U'It - I‘Hlt PRESS ASSOCIATION] LOCAL BODY OVERDRAFTS. WELLINGTON, Oct. I “1 do unlit tlio Muitici|inl (’onl’ereiico nnd nil local authorities to agree Hint it is long past the time when wo ought to live within our rovonno.” said Sir Francis Roll to dolcgatos at the Municipal Colder* me when iiiforiiiiiig them of the proposal of the Internal Affairs Department that legislation should he introduced dealing with tin* overdrafts of local bodies. As the law now stood a council could spend the revenue of two years in one year. Many bodies had exercised their overdraft authority as to leave the incoming council practically penniless, and this was what they wanted to stop. The Government wanted local bodies to abstain from borrowing except in anticipation of revenue, and obtain loan money with the consent ot the ratepayers. That meant that at the end of the year they would owe nothing except the amount of the revenue which they had yet to come in, and an amount equivalent to that. In regard to antecedent liability, it was proposed that municipalities might borrow to pay this off without a Vole of the ratepayers, and ignoring all questions as to whether the overdraft had been hfvftillv incurred or not. Should there la* a difficulty in borrowing, then it was proposed that the overdraft he paid off in seven annual instalments. Sir Francis Bell asked the ( onfereme to consider the proposals. WELLINGTON, Oct. <>•

The Mitnieipal Association to-day passed a remit urging that in future ail pigs sold for human consumption shall he killed and inspected at public abattoirs.

11l view of An/.av Day coming within a day or two of tlm mitnieipal election. it was recommended that the elections should take place on the first Wednesday in May. and that the new councils should take office a week after that day.

It was resolved tliat power be given to Iwirough councils to raise loans by special order, without taking a. poll of ratepayers, for the payment of compensation in cases of land taken, dedicated or purchased for widening streets the debentures issued in respect of such loans to he legal currency for the purpose of such payments, provided that tin- total amount of tile loans so raised shall not exceed tile sum of CodOR

in any one year. It was also rusolvcd that the Motor Registration Act. lffW. he amended to provide that all registration of motor vehicles shall'he renewed anniuilly. The Municipal Conference has concluded. Tim remits passed today urged that, the local authorities should have power to acquire compulsorily n.liv easement required for the const ruction of ptlblic works ami also to increase the lees payable under Ihe third schedule of I lie Impounding Act; and also be- empowered to secure increased contributions from the Stato t« the funds mf Fire Hoard*. Tim Conference protested against the tendency of the Government Departments to amend tlte provisions of tinstatute affecting local bodies and tinregulations under Onlers-in-Couneil. It was also urged tlmt Borough Conn cils be given special power for raising loans without, a poll for street widenin'- purposes, and that- it be made compulsory to issue competency certificates to all drivers of motor vebielos. Tin* next conference is to be bold at Christchurch at a date to he fixed hy the Executive.