THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE MEANS BUSINESS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 722, 2 August 1878, Page 2

THE MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE MEANS BUSINESS.

The Conference of representatives of various Municipal Councils which is at present sitting at Wellington are setting about business in a. highly practical manner. It is apparently intended to adopt the tactics so successfully practised in America of keeping a paid Parliamentary agent to look after the little matters of interest to the Municipalities contributing to the maintenance of the agent, and to see that the whole of his employers' axes are properly ground. Such would, at anyrate, certainly seem to be the case, judging from the following telegram, which was read at the meeting of the Municipal Council last evening, from Mr. Shrimski, M.H.R., who had been requested to represent the Council at the Conference:—"As requested, I attended the Conference, but refused to- support the under-mentioned resolution, as I had no authority to expend money :—' That a clerk and Par> liamentary Agent for the Conference be appointed, as suggested by the Thames Council, in clauses 4 and o, and that applications be invited for the office, salary to be pounds per annum; that the expenses of the Conference or L.eague be borne equally by all those boroughs which are represented thereat.' To my mind, it would be a waste of money, and will only result, as last year, without any good. Ueply what to do. —S. E. Shrimski." The Mayor said, on the receipt of this telegram, he telegraphed to Mr. Shrimski to act upon his own discretion, as it was impossible to call a meeting of the Council to consider the matter. The following further telegram from Mr. Shrimski was read:—"Have not attended Conference since Tuesday, nor delivered your letter.—S. E. Shrimski." Some discussion took place upon the matter, during which Councillors Headland and Gibbs spoke strongly against the Council undertaking any responsibility with regard to a Parliamentary agent. The Conference was apparently flying at higher game than was at first intended, and it behoved the Council to carefully consider the matter, otherwise they might be called upon to contribute a considerable amount towards the salary of the Parliamentary agent. —Councillor Gibbs urged that more good could be done by the Council getting the members for the district to look after its affairs than from tha appointment of a Parliamentary agent, who would probably know jitt'o or nothing of the requirements of the town.

Ultimateiy, the following resolution was carried, on the motion of Councillor Headland, .seconded by Councillor Fainilton :—"Tint Mr. Shrimski be requested not to. present his credentials, as the Council does not consider the course proposed by the Conference in the appointment of a Parliamentary agent to '■a expedient."' So that the Oamaru Council will not be represented at the Conference.