COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1923, Page 1

COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

HIGHWAYS ADA! IXJSTRATIOX

WELLINGTON. Aug. S. The twelfth conference of the Counties’ Association was opened io-'lay. with the largest attendance on iccord. The President, Air A. E. Jnil, in his opening address, referred specially to the question of main highways, and the history of the legislation which lie regretted was rushed at the end of the session. The Counties’ Association executive’s recommendation was accepted in regard to the appointment of the Board. Air J nil criticised the Highways Act, on the ground of its vagueness, which might be clear-• I up in practice in respect of the I on-os' functions. The grouping of <ouie.ies into highways districts and the creation of Highway Councils .vis most

important from the local i uthunre s’ point of view. Representation was necessary on those Councils, in the solution of the difficult problems, as some districts comprised from ten to seventeen counties, with a disparity in size and valuation. Loans for providing the various counties’ contribution to the capital cost of the work should lie raised by the Government. It was desirable that a clear line should he followed, determining what works were

reconstructive and what were maintenance. The snicess of the Act depended largely on the working of the District Highway Councils, which might bring about amalgamation of many of the present counties in proportion to the

willingness the District Councils ovine ed to administer the Act. The genera desire was to throw more activities o the Act on local authorities leaving

the Highways Board to be more or less an advisory body. Reluctance shown hv administration would result in the very centralisation the Counties’ Association always desired to avoid. Hon R. F. Bollard. .Minister of Interna! Alfnirs, said that the obstacle to merging the counties would be removed by legislaion providing that there ho no decrease in the Government subsidy to a district in consequence of the merg-

ing as there would lie if the counties were merged to-day. There would he no compulsion to merge, but legislation would enable merging by voluntary agreement, or bv petition to one or more counties concerned. There would In- a mm mission to inquire into the proposal. Mr J. G. Coates, Aliuister of I’ulilic Works, made a frank plea for greater co-operation between the counties and the Department, leading to better organisation of .constructive works, and a more expeditious allocation of public money, and doing away with red tape us far ns possible. The counties should appoint the most competent engineers to devote themselves to the more important work Polities had nothing to do with the matter. The conference delegates were most favourably impressed with the Alinister’s candid statement of the position. Air A. 11. Long (Mangonui) moved that provision he made by the Jnvcrnlnon tto subsidise local bodies on loan expenditure on road work. He stated that what was wanted was a pound for pound subsidy on loans for road work. •Several members considered the Government would not authorise loans ii they were compelled to pay pound tor pound subsidies. The mover replied that such a full subsidy might not be asked for. The Chairman said the county which was moving would defeat its own claims by putting every country on the same footing. The remit was withdrawn.

The conference aHirnied the principle of auctioneers’ fees going to Hospital Boards, instead of to local bodies. Rangitikei brought forward a remit suggesting the setting up of a committee bv the executive to scrutinise all proposed legislation and regulations. Mr 15. R. Lethbridge (.Marten) said a large amount of the legislation passed had been somewhat erode. He pointed out that the real dilliculty was was before the House before anyone outside knew anything about it.

The matter was left to the executive. In ee.nneetion with comity botind.iries of Waimairi, Mr IT. W. Hawke forwarded a. remit that alterations should not he made except at definite periods cl live years, and that wilt-re boundaries were altered they should extend idling some road, watercourse, or other natural boundary. The remit was eventually withdrawn, ami replaced by a motion asking the Government to remove the disabilities under which local bodies at. present sull'er. The principle of making it road boundary was objected to on Hie ground that it made dual control of the road necessary. ’Hits was undesirable.