MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1928, Page 1

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

B.v Telegraph—Press Assn., Copyright. NELSON, March 15. As a result of the conference between .representatives of the boroughs and cities, the following resolutions were moved hy the Mayor of Wellington :—’ (1) That in the opinion of this conference all contributions in respect of construction and maintenane of streets, roads and bridges, in which more than one local body has boon or may be interested in by a commission set up under the Public Works Act, bo met by the Main Highways Board. (2) That the Main Highways Board shall pay the whole cost of reconciliation and maintenance of streets in boroughs, having a population of less than 6000. which arc main highways or continuation of main highways. Both resolutions were carried. The following remit, from Timaru was passed: “That a borough council he empowered as in the case of electric power boards to sell electrical 'energy on such terms and conditions ns it thinks fit. subject to the provisions of its license.” On the motion of Wellington delegates it was decided that, definite legislation should be brought down to deal with this matter. The Town Clerk of Timaru moved that the following remit lie supported hy the Executive Committee: “That the Government be asked to provide legislation whereby borough councils be exempt from contributing to the ('{instruction and maintenance of bridges outside borough boundaries.” The mover held that with the present taxation on motorists for road construction, etc., borough councils should he relieved of such expenditure. The remit was carried. GOVERNMENT R ATES. Tn connection with tlie rating of Govemim’cnt property, the following remit, was moved by the Mayor of Devonport (Mr TO. Aldridge): “That section 72 of the Municipal Corporations Act, providing for payment hv the Government of an annual subsidy on general rates lie repealed and in lieu thereof provision lie made that Government property shall lie liable for all separate and special rates.” Tt- was pointed out that under the present system the Government paid much loss than the ordinary ratepayer. Mr Bennett (Wellington) pointed out that if the proposal in the remit were carried out, the rates of Wellington would benefit to the extent of £26.000. It was impossible to expect the Government to undertake such additional liability. The'Mayor of Wellington reminded the Conference that the Government might very easily retaliate by demanding laud tax and income tax on trade concerns, etc. and municipalities would then be very much worse oil*. The Mayor of Feilding moved as an amendment : “T hat only Crown property, occupied for domestic purposes, should he liable for full rates.” A DOMINION HALF-HOLIDAY. A remit was moved urging the Government to amend the Shops and Offices Act. so as to make Saturday a universal .statutory hull holiday throughout the Dominion. The Mayor of Wanganui said many simp-keepers would prefer a Saturday haHTmliday. if they were sure there would bo uniloriiiity. Op]>osition was raised on the ground that tlie system that suited the larger centres did not necessary suit the small country towns. One delegate .supported the remit and advocated the closing of all shops, including hotel bars, (M urinurs). Th remit was thrown out. M ISCELLAX FOES RK.M ITS. It was decided that the next annual conference he held at Wanganui. Invitations were received from Timaru, Wellington and Invercargill. It was decided that the time of meeting slioud lie during the first week in March in order to make it more convenient for Town Clerks. The following remit was passed: “That where a council erects a ball, library or other public building, it be empowered to include therein, shops and offices, so as to derive therefrom rentals in excess of the annual charges involved in. flic erection of such shops and offices, previous sanction of the Local Government. Loans Board to he obtained, where the building is erected out of loan money, or of the Minister of Internal Affairs in other eases. The remit was sponsored by (the Hawera delegate. “DOLE” SYSTEM ADVOCATED The unemployment problem was diseased at the Municipal Conference this afternoon. On the motion of the Mayor of Wanganui, it was decided that the Government be urged to take steps to deal with the problem by instituting a national unemployment relief scheme, maintained hy equal contributions from the Government, local bodies, employers and employees. The Mayor of Wellington gave details of a. scheme he had worked out on those lines, and it was resolved that the scheme he considered by the delegates for reference to the Executive, to be followed by representations to Parliament. It was pointed out that the suggestions being made could not he brought into operation for the coming winter. It was decided that tlie Government bo asked to increase the subsidy in unemployment relief work to fifty per cent of the whole work. The Mayor of Wellington gave as his reasons for his motion, that much smaller public subscriptions could be expected this year. INSPECTION OF “RESERVED 1 SEATS.” A remit containing provisions designed to prevent seats in places of amusement from l>eing reserved by the management, in order to force the public tcTliuy seats at a higher price, was adopted, and to safeguard this provision it was agreed that inspectors have the right to challenge any seat marked reserved. The following remit issued hy the Auckland delegate was adopted : “That this Conference affirms the principle that local authorities have no obligation to provide facilities for parking cars in streets.” A remit advocating the setting up of separate Main Highways Boards for North and South Islands was lost bv a small margin. “To bring a-boilt conformity with modern road formation” was the reason given by the Mayor of Auckland in bringing forward a remit to ehable Borough Councils to insist- on reading and footpaths of a subdivision being tarred and sanded. Tlie delegates will be entertained by the Nelson City Council to-morrow when they will be talfen for a motoi tour of the friiit, Hop and tobacco growing districts.