“NATIONAL PROBLEM"

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 6

“NATIONAL PROBLEM"

NORTHCOTE BOROUGH AND RELIEF

FUNDS FOR HIGHWAYS

The need for treating as a. national problem was stressed at the Xorthcote Borough Council evening.

A letter had come from the Auckland Hospital Board enclosing a repiv from the Prime Minister to the board*, protest against its large annual expenditure on unemployment relief. The council considered that the fell*' should not become a char go on local rates.

The Prime Minister the unemployment position throughout the Dominion was being dealt with a* a national question, in that employment was being found for large numbers on public works, besides special works He was not able to agree with a resoJ lution by the board saying the ques' tion was wholly national. in opinion the assistance of local authorities was a necessary function ci£ local government. This phase of tf* problem was in accordance with the views of successive Parliaments Under the circumstances, it would no: be possible to deal with any proposa for further special consideration othethan that provided in the Hospitals Act. The Government was prepared to subsidise works carried out by loc*l bodies in the board’s district, and ho reduce the pressure on the board f> r outdoor relief.

The council will send information to the board on the amount raised for relief by' loan or other means in the past five years, and the amounts or Government subsidies. The council believes that the power given councils to raise loans for relief without consulting ratepayers is wrong in principle. A request from the Auckland Automobile Association for attendance at a meeting to protest against the intention of the Government to withhold from main highways funds the annual grant of £200,000 from the Public Works Fund, and £35,000 from the Consolidated Fund, was agreed to. All members of the council will try to attend a conference with the Birkenhead Council to discuss the Little Shoal Bay' reserve. To enable residents to show their appreciation of the service of Mrs. E. Lepper. who for 37 years has been postmistress, a subscription list will be opened by the town clerk. Cr. W. C. Elliss objected to consideration in camera of the marine boroughs destructor. He considered the ratepayers should be taken into the confidence of the council, in view of reports concerning the council’s policy. The Mayor, Mr. A. E. Greenslade, said the council would do so at the earliest opportunity.