The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 1924. IMPROVED GOVERNMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, FEBRUARY sth, 1924. IMPROVED GOVERNMENT.

Tub remarks of the. Mayor of Christchurch regarding .separate governments for the two Islands of New Zealand, as a mcaqs to assist the South Island to retrieve a measure of its former prosperity lost to the North island through the larger political inllucnee j ol' that portion of the Dominion, are likely to be at least of some profit in drawing attention to the question of local self-government. A few years ago local scll'-governmeiu was a plank in the policies of the two principal political parties before the country. But of late, and especially through the war period, the matter has dropped iutu the background. It is none tlie less a question of great national importance, because local government touches the people most directly. One effect of tho remarks by the Mayor of Christchurch, has been to draw from tlie Mayor of Napier approval of action in some direction- so that in regard to local government in particular, districts will he able to voice their needs more influentially. Tlie complaint of Napier is that both Wellington and Auckland, through their larger political influence, dominate the North Island to the injury of tlie lesser centres. Some reform in the direction of returning to a form of provincial government is hinted at so that each district will have a. better organised system to direct its fortunes. The late Air Seddon alien on his last visit to Westland gave utterance at the opening of the Waitaha bridge to a proposal in his mind to legislate for a modified form of provincial government for Westland, as a stepping stone experimemtally to introducing the system generally to the whole of New Zealand. Tt has been the complaint very often now that the country is overgoverned with all the separate local bodies; yet notwithstanding that condition of affairs the number and variety of local bodies are still being added to. In the latter days of the Liberals in power there was a very strong agitation for local government reform, and different Ministers took up tho matter, but never got beyond the preparation of a bill for procedure. As soon as the measure proposed was submitted to tbe local bodies, it was the invariable custom of tbe representatives to veto tho proposals, and withuot the backing of tbe loeal bodies the Government never felt strong enough to attempt the legislation. If, however, there was the need for such legislation ten or fifteen years ago, how much more is there the need now, when in the interval legislation has given facilities for adding to the number of local bodies. If tho Mayor of Christchurch were to look round his mm city and the immediate neighbourhood, no would find an actual congestion of local bodies, all with separate administration staffs, almost treading on one another’s toes in tbe discharge of their local duties. It ‘is tbe same in all other centres, and the need for reform is really more pressing than ever. When the late Mr Seddon had the matter in mind, his idea was to so modify the provincial system tliat' a

body would be created with wider executive powers, but without legislative authority. Its authority would be drawn only from tho Parliament through the act it worked under; hut the scope of the activities of the newly created body would be more comprehensive, and : t woidd assimilate the duties performed by other separate bodies, so that where many acted previouslv wrth their separate councils .■mil sTaffs, one only was to act in tho

future. The economy which such a proposal would bring about would be very great. There would be a great saving all round, hut the statesmen of to-day are not keen about tackling so large a question. There iis not in the present Parliament any Minister, or even member, working actively for local government reform. On the contrary, with such a measure as that affecting highways administration, there is the intention to add to the cost, of working expenses without any clear notion of cutting down costs. Of late years generally the changes heaped upon local government have grown enormously. Where it can the Government of the day has been heaping responsibilities upon the local bodies in such a way that the ordinary duties of the body suffer in the desire to provide wavs and incans for new found duties or contributions put upon local government. The time is approaching—indeed it is here now—when the whole subject should he opened up again. The ratepayers are very tolerant in these matters. Upon them falls the burden of it all, yet' they are content to remain passive. It is in these circumstances that the Government find it more congenial to leave a troublesome and difficult question alone. But sooner than later there will he an awakening, and a demand made for the essential reform referred to. All the same, the longer it is postponed, the more difficult will it become.