The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1933. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 June 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1933. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM.

The reform of local government is in the air again, and many local bodies navs ditcuiwseci tiie matter from a voluntary point cf view, but little or no progress appears to be made. Tire tact that the local bodies have a loan debt of over seventy millions, and that the amount is inclined to be a rising quantity, is a disturbing factor in many quarters. There is, therefore, a good deal of insistence to reduce tiie number of bodies and place a check on the disposition to raise and • spend money too ireely. Of the large debt mentioned, the greatest burden tails on the boroughs, then the electric power boards, and harbour boards rank third. The counties while in the fourth position, is substantially less than the harbour boards, but in that quarter, also, loan indebtedness is increasing. A fresh point of view to the way to reform, has been put forward by Mr A. H. Ferguson, the doyen of County Clerks ill the Hawke’s Bay district. Mr Ferguson, who lias just retired from office, after years of useful public service, proposes to tackle the subject of reform by degrees. ‘ Nothing drastic is , suggested. He proposes a measure of provincial government at the outset-, the body so created to bo an absorbing institution as time goes on and circumstances permit. He suggests the grouping of the Dominion into areas defined by natural boundaries with like interests, somewhat similar to the old provincial districts, but smaller. Then the election of a council for such district. The authority of tiie council to be fixed by statute, then while existing local authorities continued to function as before, the provincial council to examine the general position, and determine as to amalgamation within its territory. The objective in sight would be, not necessarily retrenchment, but rather the introduction of a system that would give increased value for the present expenditure. The provincial system adapted to local gov- j eminent conditions was one of the ideas the late Mi 1 Seddor. had in mind, and to which he gave expression on the occasion of one of his last public utterances in the electorate. There is no doubt lie intended to try out a fresh oyster' for Westland, with the object of fitting it in the end to the needs of New Zealand. The existing system has taken Hig years to grow, and it will not- he reformed in any short space of time. There are all kinds of boards in the Dominion, and no- doubt many of them could with advantage be merged into larger bodies r”,-rating hr D'-c same district. But the moment such a, course is suggest'd there is always -an outcry by those directly affected. The poop!-' like to manage their own affair s . Tn theory they nr- prepared to talk economy. but if the pruning knife is implied. in the first i: stance to their own localitv, objection h rawed and i v variable carries weight. in tiie larger issues of the general administration of the

country, the same tiling happened when the Economy Commission brought down ity report, and the Government which set up the Commission for its guidance, hn„ not given anything like .full effect to all economics suggested. It is not remarkable, therefore, that a similar set of circumstances is involved in the rcfoim of local government as of general government, and go the question of local' government- stands deferred for drastic action.