COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1923, Page 1

COUNTIES’ CONFERENCE

REMITS ADOPTED. [by TEJLKGRAIMI—I'KXt PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Aug. 0. At tho Counties’ Conference, a motion to amend the Local Bodies’ Finance Act, so as to enable local bodies to have an overdraft at the end of the financial tear, not exceeding 15 per cent of the revenue of the preceding year, was lost by one vote. A proposal to amend the Local Bodies Loans Act to allow of raising loans for the reconstruction of metalled roads was carried.

A remit in the direction of getting loans for reconstruction of worn-out or inadequate roads was adopted. The conference agreed to a proposal to allow nominations for local elections to 1m received 21 days before the date of an election.

Remits were adopted in the direction of urging the uniformity of voting

papers. Ti c following mol ion was earned by a small majority: Thai the Government. inspectors appointed to administer the Act lie ve.-ied with full authority to institute court proceedings against owners or occupiers of land who fail to comply with the inspectors’ requirements, as to cutting or clearing of noxious tveeds. THE HIGHWAYS- QUESTION. WELLINGTON, Aug. 9. The principal business at the Counties Conference to-day, was the report of the Committee on the Highways Act. The clauses were considered scriatum. Up to the time of wiring. Ihe following were passed:

(1) Thai, with a view to giving tli Highways Ael a trial, as far as Lite number of Boards is concerned, we feel that the presenl constitution of the Highways Board should he accepted.

(2'i The Committee feel that, the bylaws and regulations relating to heavy traflie on roads, together with the license fees, will have to he considered In the Highways Board. The Committee recommend that such regulations and by-laws as to highways he made on lhe l ecninineinhtt ion of dist rict councils, and that fees from licenses, etc., be devoted to counties within fhe group.

.'{) The Committee feel that restrictions relating to the number of members of the Executive Committee' of the Highways Council be removed, so i luit the Eecxutive Committee may be such as is recommended by the dLiriel council.

(I) The CommitlcO feel that it is desirable licit representation oil the District Council should he amended fo have more regard to the size and valuation of the constituent counties.

(5) As to tin 1 raising uf loans, the Committee recommend the adoption of the Bnmdliki'i remit as follow s : “That the Main Highways Act, 1922, he (intended so as to provide that the @overnmc'iit shall raise the whole of the motley required, and collect front local bodies their share of annual interest and sinking fund.” with the following words added: ''Provided such loans are raised in aceorda in e with the provision.-, of the Local Bodies Loans Act.”

'll) That in addition to the power under section 22. the Committee feels that the Highways Board on the recommendation of District Councils, should have newer to grant in special circumstances a greater proportion of the cost than is proscribed by sect ions 18 and 19 ol the Act, or that Mich addition he made by a grant front the Public Works Knuds. (7) The Committee think an oversight has been made in not giving assistance to town districts which are separated from count ics .and have main highways traversing their districts, and recommend that provision he made

for this omission. YD The Committee feel that any in eriiisc,] revenu' required for motor luxation should lie obtained by an in-erea-t ii revenue from lyre lax. hill feel that the question as In whet her t he tax should lie on value or on the size of tyres is an expert question, hettir left to ihe moior trades and Customs Department. We feel, however, llial in view ol dillieiiltit s which we under stand exist, in charging duties on lyre attached to motor iihiih's, all etisiomilnties relating to our motor cars awell as tyres should lie credited to lie Main Highways Fund.