COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5011, 9 August 1926, Page 4

COUNTIES' CONFERENCE.

REPORT OF COUNCIL'S DELEGATE.

RESUME OF MATTERS DISCUSSED.

The thirteenth annual conference of the N.Z. Counties’ Association was held at Wellington towards the end of last month. In the absence of the chairman (Or. H. M. Corbett) Mr R. W. Evans (clerk) was deputed to represent the Ohinemuri County at the conference. At Thursday’s meeting of the council Mr Evans expressed his. thanks for the opportunity afforded him of attending the conference. He Said that he had found the conference to be of a highly educative nature, and many of the remits put forward and the discussions arising therefrom proved very interesting. It had also been beenficial to meet representatives from counties from all over the Dominion, and to exchange ideas- and opinions. It was, surprising to learn how other counties were not infrequently beset with difficulties and problems, similar to those that have obtained in Ohinemuri.

Giving a brief resume of the pro-ceedings-at the conference ,Mr Evans said: “ —

“The longest, and perhaps the most important, debate took place over matters in connection with the main highways. There were several remits on the subject, covering ,a lot of ground. A remit from Clutha County to the effect that in future the construction and maintenance of main highways be taken over from county councils and be carried out by the Main Highways Board was withdrawn. The president made a very able speech on the subject of main highways generally, and undoubtedly he greatly sways the opinion of the conference. The two> resolutions that were finally carried were: ‘That the Government be urged to give additional power to the Main Highways Board to enable it to give larger subsidies for maintenance, of jnain highways’ ; and ‘That a petrol tax be imposed on motorists for the upkeep of main highways, with equitable rebates in respect of milking machines, ■motor-boats, etc.’ This last resolution was carried without a single dissent.

“Another matter that provoked a long discussion was the- question of subsidy oh nates. The remits dealing with this subject were, referred to a special committee,, and after much debate the recommendation of the committee was adopted, namely, ‘That the Act be so amended, that.all subsidies be on. a. uniform, basis on all

rates collected, at 5s in the £.’ “The president and Mr Dalrymple, the chairman, of Rangitikei County, made a hard fight to have the defaulters’ list abolished, but I am glad to say the great majority of the representatives were against them and the proposal was definitely negatived.

“It was- decided to ask the Government to amend the Rating Act so that no transfer of property can be registered unless accompanied by a certificate from the proper Ipcal authority to the effect that all rates have been paid.

“With regard to hospital levies, a remit was adopted to amend the Act so that levies be calculated 50 per cent, on a population basis and 50 per cent, on capita,! value. Under the heading of ‘Local Elections and Polls’ a remit providing for the iss,ue of absent voters’ permits was thrown out. An attempt to make ‘plumping’ illegal was also negatived, but it was unanimously agreed that the system of marking voting papers for local elections and polls should be the same as- for Parliamentary elections. "It was resolved to urge the Government to establish a special fund cat of which small loans, up to say £5OOO, could be obtained at a low rate of. interest by county councils for road works, etc.

“A large number df remits under the heading of ‘Travelling Expenses were referred to a special committee for consideration, and its recommendations were adopted, namely, ‘That the Act be so amended that the chairman’s! travelling expenses may be increased to not more than £l5O per annum.’ “The conference appointed delegates to wait on the Legislative Council .and protest aganist the passing of the. Summer-time Bill. “There were, of course, a great number of other resolutions carried dealing with matters which more or less directly affect all counties, but I have only attempted to touch upon those that seemed to me to be ’oi£ greatest importance to our own county.”

In moving that the -clerk be thanked for his report the chairman said he was firmly of the opinion, that as time went oil county councils would be relieved of much of the expense in connection with the Main Highways Board, and it seemed highly probable that the levying of a petrol tax would be a. provision in the near future. When it was taken into consideration that a councillors’ duty w'as not merely to attend a council meeting a month, but tba,t there were many callsl on his time if he did his duty in connection with the riding he was elected to represent, he considered

that a fee of one guinea, plus Out-of-pocket expenses, was little enough recompense for the services rendered and the time given in the interests of ratepayers.

Cr. C. E. Mace said it was gratifying to learn that the remit forwarded by the council relative to the system of voting ha,d met with the endorsement of the conference.

Or. O. Mason said he conisderod that it was desirable that the clerk should attend all such conferences. The knowledge he would obtain, and the exchange of ideas, was invaluable.

Cr. F. C. Hubbard agreed. He said that the clerk, as the executive heafi of the council, should be given every opportunity of keeping abreast df the times. It was, as well to lemember, als,o, that the clerk was in his position probably for .a life-time, whereas chairmen and councillors frequently “moved on.”