The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1331. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 May 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, MAY 9, 1331. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Ik is often declared that New Zealand iias an unduly large proportion of vivn servants. Times of stress, like the present, indicate tile truth of such a state meat, and one of the effect, now visible is the unwelcome -process of reducing extra personnel as far as the exigencies of the time allow. But the Dominion state ;i a Chamber' of Commerce bulletin, vim claim, another distinction in the way of excess, au extraordinary number of local government bodies of various kinds, in addition‘to the numerous Government Departments. On December 3i, 1929, there was in New Zealand a population of 1,483,595. The destinies of these people were in the hands of about 40 Government Departments and no fewer than 705 local governing bodies. It is true that the Government Departments are grouped, so that a Minister bolds more than one portfolio; nevertheless, the Departments, each with its own organisation in chiet, are all separate entitles. Latterly there has been a degree of amalgamation of Departments in the interests of economy. It is an interesting question whether local government offers any scope for reorganisation. Nearly all the local bodies are empowered to collect, and most do collect, revenues from the people they serve, for expenditure upon the services they render. Here is the astonishing list:—l27 county councils, 120 borough councils, 41 independent town hoards, 27 dependent town boards, 19 road boards, 64 land drainage boards, 3 city and subui ban drainage boards, 6 water supply boards 50 fire boards, 1 local railway board, 46 harbour boards, 44 electric power boards, 47 hospital boards, 1 tramway board, 46 rabbit boards, 18 main high, way district councils. New Zealanders are claimed to be the most law-abiding people in the world. They certainly ought to be, with so many guardians and guides. The existing local governing bodies may or may not all be necessary. To determine which are superfluous would demand an exhaustive re. search. But it is reasonable to assume that an investigation would prove that

they are not all needed. In the early days ol the Dominion local bodies nai*urally and necessarily sprang into exi.s-Le-e to meet local ’needs everywhere. But it is one tiling to conjure an office into existence; quite another to abolish it. Local dignitaries as well as paid officials cling like limpets to their positions, though their boards may long have outlived their usefulness. We have .oil to look far for evidence of the inefficiency of the present system. In municipal affairs we find intense activity among associations and leagues of rate payers and electors and so on, wnose principal activities, however expressed simply arise from dissatsfaction with their councils. We find hospital boards under criticism for being prouder of their architectural posse,sssions and magnitude than of their medical service. Above all, we find, everywhere, i general feeling that local government is not as efficient as it should and con’d be. The Associated Chambers of Commerce lias recenty urged that Parliamnt should be reduced in numbers. Among other benefits, thi s would permit an actual increase in the average ability of the House, Similarly, if a docrease in the number of local governing bodies could bo brought about, wo might look for an improvement in per. sonnel ns well as probably financial sav. mg and improved .administration. The Associated Chamber of Commerce, at this stage, merely wishes to draw attention to this mater, and to suggest to the Government that it should lie made the subject of investigation of a competent body, which could make recommendations .The questions are: Are there too many lorn I bodies P If so, which should he abolished, or merged with others to produce more government? What saving would he thus effected? Folk will agree most urobablv that there are too many local bodies because the system of local gov. eminent has grown so cumbersome, au over.ha.nl effectively carried .out would re-ult in a very large saving, but though this is an oft-repeated story, no government has been equal to tackling the task.