South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1881.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2589, 8 July 1881, Page 2

South Canterbury Times, FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1881.

The Financial Statement will be read with satisfaction by the country generally. When Major Atkinson promised that it would include a scheme for affording substantial help to loenl bodies, these bodies were on the tiptoe of expectation. They have no reason to be dissatisfied with the proposals of the Government. It will be found that the Ministry has immensely strengthened its position by proposing to deal so liberally with the local governmentbodics. Many of the latter, do doubt, will be of opinion that the Ministry has not gone far enough, and that the aid will not be sufficient. Up to a fortnight ago there was small prospect of any assistance being afforded to local bodies. Major Atkinson’s speech at Patea was explicit enough that the Government did not intend to take action during the present session, and the absence of all mention of local government in the address of the Premier at Leeston showed that the Ministry were pretty well agreed on the subject of “political rest.” However, Ministers are only the creatures of Parliament, and when the cry was raised on all sides that something must be done to place local government on a better footing, the Ministry yielded to the pressure. The Hall Government is unraistakeably the most accommodating that has yet occupied the Treasury Benches. It draws no hard and fast line. No matter what the opinions and sympathies of its members are, they are visibly affected by each wave of public opinion. Some people may be uncharitable enough to say that little thanks are due to the Ministry for the proposed aid to local bodies—that their lack of strength and not their will consented. They should bear in mind the proverb that it is not always wise to look a gift horse in the mouth. We noticed that in the short debate which followed the Financial Statement, Mr Ballance taunted the Government with their proposals being nothing more than a re-hash of the propcsals of last year. He would

be an exceedingly original man who could propound anything fresh on the threadbare subject of local government. Mr Wakefield defended the Colonial Treasurer, and was particularly severe on Mr Ballance. The member for Geraldine has returned to his allegiance. A few-weeks ago he was regarded as shaky, and it was rumored that the vacant portfolio had much to do with his shakiness. It may be, that all the time Mr Wakefield was loyal and true to the Hall Ministry, and that he did them a service by urging local government reform upon them, and that he did so with the full connivance of Mr Hall and his colleagues. There is a good deal of trickery in politics in New Zealand, and they say that Mr Hall is unrivalled as a trickster. It was apparent at the commencement of the session that the subject of local government would be forced upon the Ministry. It was better that the' “ pressure ” should bo exercised by their supporters. That may explain Mr Wakefield’s more, which was first interpreted that the member for Geraldine was assuming his old role of a disappointed free lance. How much better it looked for Ministers to deal with the matter at the “ solicitation of their friends,” as candidates for municipal honors so often pot it. But the trick only half succeeded. Sir George Grey anticipated the member for Geraldine. This may account for the savage attack which Mr Wakefield made upon Sir George the moment he sat down. Under ordinary circumstances. Mr Wakefield should have felt pleased that Sir George relieved him from an unpleasant duty, that is, if the member for Geraldine would find any kind of work unpleasant. However, it is well that he has taken up a definite position in regard to the present Ministry. A member in a degree reflects credit or discredit on bis constituents. We do not desire to see a notorious trimmer representing any district in South Canterbury, and especially one whose trimming would bo recognised by nobody as the wavering of a conscientious and undecided man.

To rererfc to the financing of the Colonial Treasurer to aid local bodies. They are not to get the 20 per cent of the land fund asked for by the Conference recently held in Wellington, although Major Atkinson did state that the land of a district must bear the cost of roads and bridges, but he explained that he meant all the land of a district, whether alienated or not. It is, therefore, proposed that all Crown land should pay rates. In many districts this will considerably swell the funds of the local bodies, whilst in many others they will receive absolutely nothing from this source. The rates are to be made a charge against the land revenue. In a small way, this will be a localisation of the land fund. County Councils and Road Boards henceforth will not be called upon to make roads and bridges which increase the value of the land, the proceeds from which are to go into the colonial chest. With regard to Boroughs, all Government properties within their boundaries are to be rated, and the rates are to be made a charge against the Consolidated revenue. That is all the towns are to receive by the proposals of the Government. The only place which will benefit largely by the new rating power will be the City of Wellington. Roundly stated, the proposals do not directly affect the towns. Major Atkinson thinks that the surest and most effectual way of helping them is to encourage successful settlement upon the land. He said:— “ With a well roaded and prosperous country the difficulties of the Boroughs will end.” The Minister of Lands is to submit a scheme involving an expenditure of £50,000 annually for three years for opening upCrown Lands for settlement. Where practicable the work is to be carried out by the local bodies. There can be scarcely an objection to the scheme. The money will be spent in the most desirable direction, and in the increased value of the land the colony will be ultimately recouped the outlay. Besides it is one of the best methods of developing the resources of country. The cost, of course, is to be a charge against the revenue accruing from the land rendered accessible, in fact, there will be added a sum to the upset price per acre to pay for the construction of the roads. With regard to the allocation of funds to be voted in aid of new works undertaken by the Councils and Road Boards, it is proposed that all these works shall be submitted to a Board, to consist of the Minister of Public Works and three members to be appointed by the House. It may be said that this tends in the direction of centralization, but so long as the General Assembly is asked to vote money for local works, there is no help for it. There could not be a fairer way of appointing the Board. With regard to the funds to be placed at the disposal of the Board, it is proposed to ask the House to make a free grant of £IOO,OOO, and to permit it to borrow another £IOO,OOO at five per cent. It must, however, bo stated that all moneys allotted to local bodies will be' loans, not subsidies. By paying nine per cent for thirteen and a half years on the sum borrowed the debt will be wiped off. A special rate will be struck for the purpose. Before the local bodies can exercise their borrowing powers a vote of the ratepayers must be taken. It is clear from the foregoing that the landed property of a district, whether it belongs to the Government or to private individuals, must mainly contribute to the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges. There is no other source from which funds are available. To lighten the burden as far as possible, it is proposed to reduce the property tax from a penny to a half-penny. That is the

most material alteration in the Financial Statement in the incidence of taxation. As an equivalent to the working classes, it is proposed to take the Customs duties off moleskins, calicoes, and a few other articles which are principally purchased by the less affluent classes ; and axes, spades, and shovels are also to be admitted free. Looking at the Financial Statement in its entirety, we are of opinion that it will strengthen the position of the present Government.