King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 1913 LOCAL BODIES CONFERENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 539, 5 February 1913, Page 4

King Country Chronicle WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 1913 LOCAL BODIES CONFERENCE.

The first working conference of the Backblocks Local Bodies Association, held on Wednesday last at Ohura, markß the beginning of a movement to which attach infinite possibilities for the benefit of the backblocks generally. It is broadly realised that as far as obtaining facilities for a backblock district is concerned the voice of the unit is of small avail. The impelling force towards the formation of the association was the realisation of the fact, that without co-operation between the various local bodies working I under similar conditions, the amount I of good to be achieved by individual action bulked very small in comparison with the necessitiea of the case. The further fact existed that in certain instances progress was being retarded in coniequence of different local 1 bodies making seuarato representa--1 tions to the Government concerning common questions and such representations frequently failed to agree. Under such conditions it was not to be wondered at that many efforts on the part of the local bodies were void of result, and the inability of the Government to satisfy the demands of local bodies became proverbial. The inauguration of an association comprising the whole of the local bodies with any pretensions to community of interest within a very wide area cannot fail to achieve resultß beneficial to all, and it is not too much to expect that the recommendations emanating from such a representative body will command the earnest consideration of the Government. Among many matters of importance discussed at the conference undoubtedly the question which commanded most interest was that of roading, and the recommendations under this heading are deserving of comment. In affirming the principle that a comprehensive scheme of roading be arrived at for each particular district so that all roads formed in such disrtict shall be in conformity with Buch scheme the delegates touched the root of the matter. If the Government takes action on the lines indicated there can be no doubt much time and money will be saved to the country. The recommendations concerning the equitable loading of all lands, whether European or Maori, for roading, is on sound lines and leaves no room for argument. The suggestion that local bodies shall be empowered to raise loans, and strike a rate to cover the interest and sinking fund thereon without appealing to the ratepayers will probably occasion controversy. However, it has to be borne in mind that in reading the suggestion along with the remaining recommendations the local bodies would only be empowered to exercise such privilege on schemes which had already met with the approval of the Government. Incidentally it may be noted that the recommendations would go a long way towards solving the present difficulty which exists in respect to the roading of native lands. Moreover, by the adoption of a definite scheme the holders of native lands would understand the exact nature of their liability, in respect to roading, and would be enabled to take constitutional steps with the definite assurance that they were on the proper lines. The remit which was passed regarding main arterial roads must have the support of all backblock local bodies, and it is to be hoped the principle affirmed by the conference will have early attention thatj the hands of the Government. The majority of the remaining remits were more or less matterß of detail, though all were of general importance. With the endorsement of the conference they will doubtless receive much more serious consideration than if they had been advanced by any single local body interested.