LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2593, 13 July 1881, Page 2

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

In the House of Representatives last night, the Government announced the scope of their proposals in regard to local government. The following is a telegraphic summary of the debate : Major Atkinson moved the second reading of the Crown and Native Lands Eating Bill. In doing so he wished to state the views of the Government on the whole questioh of local self-govern-ment, which he believed was agitating the minds of members a great deal more than it was of the country. He did not intend to press the second reading of the Bill that night. The first difficulty in the question was that no two members seemed to agree as to what local government was. They wanted the re establishment of provincialism, not local government. While Mr Wood’s desire was for the establishment of sovereign States with a federal government, and Mr Ormond wanted not local government, but something between local government and general government, and Mr Murray wanted something else, none of them touched the real question of local government. If members wanted something else, none of of them had touched the real question. They should say what it was, and call it by its proper name, not miscall it local government. The Government heard that the country had got local government already, and if the people were consulted Counties and Eoad Boards would remain the local government of the country. What the country desired was simplification of what it already possessed, and sufficient funds to work with. He denied the assertion frequently made that local government had disappeared with the Provinces, and that all local administrative powers had been centred in Wellington. He held a return of all local powers so centred. Of all the administrative Provincial Acts only 20 were now administered from Wellington, and of these, thirteen must under any circumstances be so administered, as being of general application. Of the other seven four might with advantage be dealt with locally. These were the Animals Protection, Licensing, Cemeteries and Auctioneers. The others were Land, Neglected Children, and Bankruptcy. The remaining Acts were eithered administered locally or jointly, and must necessarily be so. Instead of centralising the administration as far as possible. They had given local bodies many powers formerly centralised on the provinces. As to Mr Ormond’s allegations the grievances had no remedy, it was the duty of the House to remedy all grievances, and if they did not do it they should do so. He thought very little good could be done by the abolition of any of the existing bodies. There was great difficulty in getting competent men to administer afairs, and it was therefore better to get men, acquainted with special subject,who were willing to give up their time to deal with these subjects only. This was the ease with River Boards, Harbor Boards, Education Boards, etc. There was no leisure class here able to give the use of their time to large bodies dealing with all these subjects. As to Waste Lands Boards, he had no great love for them, and Government had it in contemplation to abolish and consult County Councils on all questions affecting land within the Counties, As to Boroughs, that local government was working very satisfactorily, although they perhaps wanted more money, and as to what should be done. In some places the County did the work; in some the Road Boards, but in no case had they been asked to join Counties. If the ratepayers wished a union of this kind they would effect it. One point which all these bodies were agreed was a desire to get more tnonej'. There was still a feeling abroad that money could be obtained some other way than out of the pockets of the ratepayers. They must recognise the fact that there was no other way of getting money than out of their pockets. He was prepared to fight for his own scheme. Government hold that every facility should bo given for Counties amalgamating and for merging into Road Boards. They proposed to take tho power to delegate to Councils all the powers of administration under local or general Acts which could be delegated safely, and also to give power to Counties to levy the rates for Eoad Boards, and where the Eoad Boards desire it, to spend the money for them on definite works. He proposed also to give County Councils the powers now exercised by the Government as to Eoad Boards' boundaries and until the property tax valuation roll was available to allow the existing valuation rolls to be used with annual amendments. Then as to Eoad Boards, Government proposed to introduce an Act simplifying Eoad Board machinery, especially iu regard to elections, for which the Local Elections Act Avas too cumbersome. This would be permissive, and extended power for merging would also be given to Boards. No portion of a county should be outside of the Road Boards, and as far as possible road districts should be electoral districts of the county. As to Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, he considered them absolutely necessary, and that the districts must necessarily be in order to provide suitable buildings and medical aid. Unless they were to have a poor IaAV administered by officials, they would require these Boards consisting of people doing the work for love, and administering local contributions. He believed the proposals would meet all legitimate demands for local self government. Sir George Grey considered that the Government had arrived at a lame and impotent conclusion to satisfy the wants of 500,000 people. He denied there was no other way of getting monej' than out of people’s pockets. There were other means which could easily be got at, and Avhich tho House, he was sure, would get at sooner or later. He had been taunted about not really meaning to introduce a Local Government Bill, but his Bill was hoav in the hands of the printer. He was not afraid to show his hand. All his cards were the property of the people of New Zealand, and it was for them to say how they were to be played. There should be large local bodies constituted taking in whole counties and'boroughs, then full powers should be given to the people in those districts to determine the form of the Crown administration witli local institutions so as best to meet their own requirements. The local bodies should have power to make by-laws on almost all subjects on which the provinces used to legislate. Power to redress their grievances promptly and on the spot should be given to local bodies ; to establish courts having large powers, but inferior to the Supreme Court. Power to appoint their own judges

should be given, and thus justice would be brought to each man’s door, and then they would no longer have the Bench occupied by Judges actuated by strong party feelings. By reducing the work of the central Government, one-half of the House could be reduced, and the other Chamber found to be a redundant blessing with which they could dispense. There would be plenty of money available for local bodies. The surplus revenue, after provision for general purposes, should be divided amongst the local bodies in proportion to population. Rates on Crown and native lands should be imposed by local districts, and be . expended by them, the vote being the same as on all other property. Large landed endowments should be granted to the local bodies and rendered inalienable. In time the rents from these should free the people from taxation, and provide for all their wants. The future generation would bless them if they did this, but the Government proposed a continuance of a system of legislation belonging to an expiring civilisation which was dawning on the earth.

Mr McLean said he would like to see Sir George Grey’s Bill, and consider the whole matter more fully before going on with the debate. He accordingly moved its adjournment. This was, after some discussion, agreed to, the debate to be resumed at 7.30 p.m., on Tuesday evening next.