COUNTIES CONFER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 387, 22 June 1928, Page 13

COUNTIES CONFER

AMALGAMATION DISCUSSED POWERS WANTED TO DISCUSS SPEEDS (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, Thursday. ! Members of South Auckland rural i counties held their annual conference ' in Hamilton to-day. Mr. G. A. Stanton, of Taumarunui, presiding. The balance sheet of the Rural j Counties Association, which was adopted, showed the total receipts to he £9l. There was a credit balance at the bank of £7l 16s 9d. The president said the financial position was very satisfactory and it would not be necessary to levy the affiliated counties this year. The following officers were all re-elected: President, Mr. G. A. Stanton; executive committee, Messrs. R. King (Tauranga), S. C. Mackay (Waipa), and W. R. Lowry (Piako); secretary. Mr. S. H. Andrew (Taumarunui). The following remits were carried: "That for the purpose of preserving the surface of roads, including main highways, this conference is of the opinion that statutory power should be given county councils to make bylaws restricting the speed of motor vehicles, notwithstanding the provisions of any Act or regulation to the contrary.” "That in view of the changed conditions inasmuch as motor traction has become the universal method, this conference is of the opinion that the cost of maintenance of rural roads would be more equitably provided for by a tax on motor fuel than by the present system of rating. That the Government be urged immediately to adopt this system in its entirety in respect to main highways, and to apply gradually the same principle to the maintenance of all rural roads.” "That the differential railway freights on metal used on competitive and feeder roads be abolished.” That greater efficiency with less cost could be obtained if some of the 123 counties in New Zealand amalgamated was the text of one remit discussed. Mr. G. A. Stanton (Taumarunui) said the administrative costs of all counties was enormous, and it was time the counties determined for themselves the possibility of regrouping the areas. The matter would be one of the chief subjects for discussion at the New Zealand conference next month. The total cost of administration of counties was now £250,000 a year, and the rates levied amounted to about £1,800,000. Mr. H. M. Corbett (Ohinemuri) thought the remit should be carried, as it was the duty of counties to watch the movements of Public Works officials. The following amended remit was passed: "That the Counties Association recommend the conference to suggest what lino of action shall be taken regarding the amalgamation of counties.”