LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 522, 30 November 1912, Page 5

LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

A SHORTAGE OF MONEY. THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTION. Some local bodies, especially those controlling the affairs of the Auckland suburbs, suffer under disabilities regarding the financing of their works. This matter was the subiect of a deputation from the Association to the Prime Minister on Wednesdav at Auckland. Mr J. H. Bradney, M.P., introduced the deputation, and Messrs M. J. Coyle, E. A. Craig, E. Spencer, and W. R. Blomfield, explained to the Prime Minister the defects in the system, as it affected and was likely to affect —their respective districts. They reminded Mr Massey of the urgent need for money for such works as fire prevention and town-planning. Replying, Mr Massey pointed out the difficulties of the present Government owing to the state of the money market. He said that the Government proposed, as far as loans to local bodies were concerned, to give prime place to bodies which had development works in hand, such as roads and bridges, and to such bodies some small concession would be made. But the Government did not intend to 10-3e anything over loans to local bodies generally, including suburban bodies as it was not fair to ask the general taxpayer to make up these deficits. It was impossible to say, until the result of Mr Allen's visit to England had become known, what could be done for the suburban local bodies, but Government intended to take away the £SOOO limit imposed at the beginning of the year owing to the rush of applications for money, at the earliest possible moment, but that moment was not yet. Mr Massey added that as far as town-planning was concerned the Government had already recognised the importance of the subject, and had made a beginning by placing certain provisions in the Land Bill Act of last session. He hoped that before the present Parliament was ended there would be a comprehen-"