LOCAL BODIES

Hokitika Guardian, 13 April 1932, Page 5

LOCAL BODIES

INQUIRY SOUGHT

COMMERCE CHAMBER’S VIEWS

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association)

‘WELLINGTON, April 12. The following resolution was carried unanimously at a meeting to-dav of the Executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce: “That this Association urges on , the Government the necessity to delay no longer in set ting up its promised Commission to inquire into the whole system of local

body administration; n i order to relieve taxpayers of a : 1 considerable part of their rating burden; or alternatively, that the Governmen retain the services of the National Expenditure Commission, for the purpose of conducting that investigation, and of reporting to the Government.”

In a letter approved for despatch to the Prime Minister, the Association commented on the fact that Mr Forbes had stated, through the press, that I>C did- not see much hope of such a Commission being appointed in the meantime. .

It was asked what circumstances.had arisen that made the need tor all investigation any less pressing tlifiii it was a year ago, when the Prime Minister gave his promise that « 'Coniitdesion would be appointed. The only relief which the Prime Minister had indicated might be given was an immunity from the 10 per cent, penalty on unpaid rates, which was a mere bagatelle compared with uncalculable benefits to the whole community that would result from an investigaion, of the local body administration, leading to a re-distribution of the local body districts, a re-adjustment of the rating, systems, and the co-ordination and amalgamation of the staffs, plant and equipment. -«•••,

The Association in 1 ‘its letter, said the Government is only ccnributing to the present, position, it having made financial provision for local bodies to the extent of £2,0CX),030 through the Exchange Credits Pool, and also extended an exemption from taxation to all the trading public bodies, and, as recently as December last, authorised another £382,800 in loans for local bodies.

This Association expressed the hope that the Prime Minister would not be deterred by the criticism of some sections of the community against the employment of Commissions, and said that it was not concerned with the machinery employed so long as the imperative business of the country were performed in a proper manner. The Association said that the CB7 local bodies in New Zealand were respond il>le^£or,.,an - extend'dinary condition of Over-Government, with all the attendant expense. Unless the Government took prompt action, an unlicavai. of a local body system would l>e forced on the country by the rapidly marching ch’cumstances of financial stress.