THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1930, Page 3

THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE

FIRST DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. INVERCARGILL, March 5

The Dominion conference ol the Municipal. Association opened to-day. Delegates numbering si'oout 300 we represent. The Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. do in Porrelle), in an address to the conference, referred to the Urban Faun Lands Rating Bill. “During the last session,” s-id the Minister, “I introduced the: Urbn.. Farm Lands Rating Bill, framed witn tlic object of providing means of giving relief from excessive rates to occupiers oil’ small farms in boroughs. That Bill was the outcome of the report of the Commission, which in 1923 considered the subject. The Commission, after its inquiries, found that the'.‘'rating of certain farm lands in boroughs was excessive, and it recommended a scheme of classification of lands within the boroughs affected, so that- differential rates could 'No- levied. During the debate oil the second reading of the Bill, members on all sides of the House displayed keen in-vrc-«t in the si.ibjeet of municipal rating, and they expressed a desire that a further opportunity should La given to consider the Bill. In deference- lo 'his request the Government agreed that the Bill be referred to the Local Bills Committee to take evidence, and report. The House agreed to this course, and when the Bill came before the Local Bills Committee a considerable amount of evidence- was tendered. Yolir .association played an important part in the proceedings, and, among ; 6tlier •; things, your representatives gave,'an undertaking to the Local Bills Committee that the subject rating of farm lands in boroughs would bo'very carefully investigated by this conference. Acting on this undertaking, the Local Bills Committee came to the conclusion that it would lie better to defer the measure, and it reported to tile. House accordingly. The House agreed to the report.

“Later on in the proceedings .of this conference it will come up for consideration, and I would like to toko this opportunity of urging that delegates give most careful thought to this serious question. I do not wish at this stage, to explain the measure, but I do wish to say this: that the Government will give most serious consideration to recommendations which your conference makes, following its deliberations on the subject, and if delegates can show that the proposal is wrong, or that the method of dealing with it is wrong, or can in •’ nv way show a. better method of dealing with, this complex question, then it will be my earnest desire to do what I can to bring about some, state pi affairs which will be satisfactory to all parties.” f The following remits were adopted : From Christchurch r^e.rr “That the Government be requested to amend section 139 (1) (a) of the Licensing Act, 11/08, as follows: by in-

creasing the minimum fee for a publican’s licence in a borough to £( From Mount Albert:— ‘•That the motor regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1924, be amended to provide that where any road lies partly in a .borough or.town district and partly in a road district or county, the speed limit in such ca-'CS shall be uniform.” From 'Wellington : “That the renewal of registration of a motor lorry should be refused in all eases where the owner fails to produce a receipt showing that all heavy traffic fees payable for the previous year have been paid.” From Dunedin : “That the Government he urged to set up a commission for the purpose of investigating the whole question of the incidence of local body taxation.” From Dargaville :—- “That the Municipal Association take up the cost of a test case in the matter of the registrar of the Supreme’ Court refusing to proceed to sale where the judgement for .rates has been obtained against an occupier or an owner other than .the registered owner.” •From Wellington:—

-■ “That power, be given to tbe local authority to regulate fire escapes in all buildings and enforce fire prevention provision in public buildings,, acting on the advice of the. inspector of fire brigades. At present the law is unsatisfactory on this point. There is a conflict between the Fire Brigades Act and the Municipal Corporations Act. The council should do all the administration work.” From Christchurch: —

“That all fees and fines for offences under any statute law or regulation, particularly the Public "Works Act, the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, the Police Offences Act, and the Municipal Corporations Act, be paid to the local body which lays the information.” From Xebon:—

“That the Government be requested to make regulations for the proper control of pedestrian and equestrian traffic, which shall be applicable to the Dominion as a whole.” From Wellington:—-

“That provision be made for local nuthorities to strike off the district electors rolUtbe names of those persons who failed to vote at tbe last general election, and who fail to reply to a notice, sent by the clerk of the local authority to his last known address. stating that they will be struck off unless be claims to possess the necessary qualifications.” The conference has adjourned till to-m wrnw morning, when a supplementary order n- pu’ comprising fortythree remits will be considered.