The Guardian and Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 7, 1930. COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 July 1930, Page 4

The Guardian and Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 7, 1930. COUNTIES CONFERENCE.

fir*: Counties’ Conference just conmoled at Wellington, according to the reports published, served to draw together a veiy large and representative attendance. 'this appears to he an earnest of'the public interest in county affairs, while the keenness with which the large number of remits presented, was discussed, showed that members were no less serious about the business they have in hand. The public service rendered by the members of local bodies is probably not always realised nor recognised as it should be. Up and down the Dominion there is a multitude of local bodies, the members of which give their services freely. Many of the gentlemen have been giving their time and attention to local government over a very long term of years, and their continuance in office is recognition of their good work, and an appreciation of their services by the ratepayers. The Counties’ Conference has been presided over now for many years by Mr A. E. .full, cue of the best informed of our local body men on the administration of local government. He must he a tower of strength to any public body with which he Is connected, and his services, we understand, are at the disposal of other local bodies than counties. As is usual at the Counties’ Conference, Mr •Tull’s opening address is always ot public interest, and this year was not any exception to the rule. There were two special points stressed, and both

of popular consideration. One was in regard to the highways, and the other on the subieet of de-rating of land. Regarding the highways, Air Jull lias special qualifications to speak, seeing ‘bat lie is a valued member of the 'bn’n Highways Board. And when Air •Toll went the length of specially advocating an increased tax of 3d per gallon on petrol to. provide additional funds for the rrv'ds lie was probably sneaking on behalf of bis colleagues of lb,, Highways Board who may have formed their views as to the nature of

the additional revenue reciuired to do :d] that is needed in regard to tlie upkeep of the roads, which it hccomos more and more evident, stand in need of attention from a special fund, for are now hein°' subjected to much addd'mial traffic outside 1 ho local area, and therehv the upkeep should not fall oi'hdelv on the district ratepayers. This is a matter which in the end will he considered by Parliament when the Government hrincs down its proposals for raising additional revenue, and

when that stage is reached, it will not be surprising if Air Jul/s remarks on die subject do not carry considerable weight. Regarding the de-rating of land, illiis is a vexed question, parJcuir.rly in the North Island, where, n the days of better prices for produce, land went to boom prices. Not only lias land values fallen because of the drop in commodity prices, but the

bind has also been going back, reducing production, and the land owner is being bit twice. It is a large question and a difficult one to deal with. Counties are affected by reason of the ’liability to pay rates on land now standing at an exorbitant value, and the reduction of rates appears inevitable •on such areas. The reduction Is material to those local bodies with special loans based on high values, and t b p financial aspect is therefore reflretnd on idle ratepayers. No scheme advanced so i f ar lias been satisfactory and the plight in some districts is serious meantime.