The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 4, 1932. LOCAL BODIES REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 October 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 4, 1932. LOCAL BODIES REFORM.

Foil some time past enquiries have been made into local government administration with a view to itlie appointment of a commission to ascertain whether more effective means can he devised for the co-ordination of oontircll. Various Alternative proposals have been made to the Minister in charge!. As a preliminary, New Zealand has already been mapped out into 23 regions, 14 in the North Island and nine in «])e (South Island. Jt was possible these might he used as th© basis for future work. The 'general opinion appeared to be that there was too much overlapping in local body activities, and this meant that a move might be made to reduce the number of local bodies in order to secure more effective control and to eliminate waste in administration. Tl was not wished to force anything on to local bodies, and 1 they would lie fu.liW consul • l concerning any proposals that might ho made for . reorganisation. At the moment, Mt Hamilton said, he had in mind a suggestion for the setting up of an over-riding

> authority in each of the 23 regions. It i might to objected that tills would I mean increasing th» number of -'local | bodies, but it would make for more 1 effective powers of supervision, while I rhu outcioinoi might be t-he absorption el tiuj, local bodies in each region under one central authovity. This tint not mean that the municipalities would disappear. However, there was . a number or hodies whose function.is might be found to be of a natune t.-at could he taken over by one authority. There would be many advantages in having a permanent division of New Zealand into a defined number of administrative areas. In many respects the adoption of this plan would 1 mean the elimination of the present .provincial districts, but it would also mean that the Dominion would be oilvidied in.o <a number of administrative' areas which would arrange for complete internal control. The establishment of, a supervising body 111 each district as a start would mean that a. nucleus for future co-ordination would be provided. All loans within th© region, for instance, would go before’ this body before going to the Local Government Loans Board, and in other similar ways general advice could he given. At present the Goveminent hud to set up new districts whenever it wanted to exercise regional control, this being illustrated by the necessity of forming special transport districts. This need would be done away wjth if permanent regions were' established. The Minister made it clear ‘that nothing more than proposals had so far been made. He said he hoped to talk the' whole question over with members of Parliament who were directly concerned with local bod-v control, and lie would .also like to' discuss the problems with local bodies. There were many difficulties to be overcome, and h.e realise?! them fully, so that an, assurance could he given that no hasty actiin would a** taken that might interfere with the rights of local authorities. He thought reorganisation could be brought about in a spirit of goodwill and mutual cooperation ./