POLITICAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 65, 8 July 1914, Page 7

POLITICAL.

STATE GRANTS TO LOGAL BODIES Details of the Local Grants and Sunsidies Bill, which is to remodel tho system of Parliamentary grants to local bodies, have not yet been made public, but it is stated on good authority that it will provide for setting up a non-political Board of three members, who will be selected on account of their practical knowledge of local government affairs and of civil engineering. It is- expected that means will be devised of giving each island a measure of representation on the board. The numbers of the board will be in a position analogous to that of the Public Service Commissioners, and will be directly responsible to Par. liament. The Bill thus proposes a very important reform which will remove the. administration of State grants to local bodies from the spheres of Ministerial and political influence as has already been clone in the matter of appointments to and promotions in the Public Service. The different grades in which local districts are to be classified according to the stage of development they have reached, will not be fixed, it is understood, in the Bill, but will be arranged subsequently on tho advice of the new board. One country member who was spoken to yesterday said that it would probably be found advisable to classify the local districts in three divisions, and further expressed the opinion that the work of drawing up the classification would not present any great difficulties and could most likely be carried out between one session of Parliament and another. The Bill will probably make its appearance in the House within a few days, says the Dominion.

The Rev. W. B. Scott, the minister in charge of the Aramobo Methodist Church, has been approached by the "Liberal" organiser and asked if he will enter the lists against Mr G. V. Pearce, the sitting member for