PROBLEM FOR COUNTIES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5291, 25 June 1928, Page 2

PROBLEM FOR COUNTIES

QUESTION OF AMALGAMiATION. THE PRINCIPLE APPROVED. That greater efficiency with less cost could be obtained if sionie of the 123 counties in New Zealand .amalgamated was the text of a remit discussed at the annua.l conference of the Rural Counties’ Association in Hamilton on Thursday. Mr G. A l . Stanton (Taumarunui), president, said that the subject was one which would create a great difference 'of opinio,n, but the present positionl wa.s one which had to be faced. The administrative costs of all the counties were enormous, and the counties should determine for themselves the question of better division of areas. The matter .would be discussed at the Counties’ Conference next month. Southland County, which was practically the province of South, land, was run far more economically than small districts. The cost of administration of counties wag now ab.out £250,000 a year, and the rates levied amounted to about £1,800,000COUNTIES TO DO I GROUPING. In answer to a question Mr Stanton said that the counties in conjunction with the department should.do the grouping. Mr R. King (Tauranga) supported the remit, but admitted that there was no necessity for uniting his district. Mr H. M. Corbett (Ohinemuri) said that the resolution should be carried in order to ■watch -the movements of departmental officers. It was; generally known that the Government had some system for altering the position in. view, and it was the duty of the counties to appoint officials to see that their interests were- not neglected. - Delegates from Coromandel and Waimarin'o supported the principle of tlie remit. Mr Corbett pointed: out that amalgamation was not the point at issue, but only that the counties’ interests should be watched. The president added that amalgamation or some similar grouping and pooling of interests was desirable. The following-amendment was carried : “That the association l records the County Conference to suggest what line of action shall be taken regarding Amalgamation of counties?’