ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 482, 21 June 1890, Page 6

ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM.

ADDRESS BY MR W. A. MURRAY. Auckland, June 12. A public meeting to consider questions pertaining to the next general election and to elect a Reform Committee, was held in Te Aroha Public Hall on last Saturday evening. There was a good attendance. on the occasion ; amongst those present being settlers who had come long distances, some upwards of fifteen miles to attend. The chair was occupied by Mr E. Gallagher, Mr W. A. Murray also occupying a seat on the platform. Mr Murray having been called upon to address the meeting, explained the objects for which the meeting had been convened. Several of the electors were of opinion in view of the approaching Parliamentary elections, that it wus desirable some general system of organisation should take place throughout the colony, in order to secure the election of members pledged to introduce a more satisfactory condition of things in connection with the administration of the public affairs of the colony. One of the first resolutions he had bo propose was in connection with the much-needed reform of local government. A return some years ago showed there were then 1,600 governing bodies in New Zealand of one kind and another, requiring some 20,000 persons to run them, and this in connection with the government of a total population less than that of either Liverpool or Glasgow. If local government weie more simplified it would give the General Government much less to do, arid as a necessary result its cost would be greatly reduced, and the property tax could be done away with altogether. The property tax at Id in the £1 on £111,000,000 upon improved and unimproved values would leave the towns to provide £145,000 and the country £317,000. The land tax to provide a similar amount would require u tax of l|d in the £, of which the towns would pay £116,000, the country £346,000, being £30,000 less for the towns and £30,000 more for the country than under the property tax as at present. With respect to rating he thought there should be no exemption, and that native lands should be leased on perpetual lease by the Government at fair values, much after the Scottish system of fens. The railways, he thought, should not be run altogether without official control. Mr Vaile was certainly deserving of commendation for his zeal in tho cause of railway reform, but he ought to agitate for the reduction of freights as well as of fares. Mr Murray also referred to the successful opening up of the West Coast coalfields by the construction of railways and harbours, as recommended by himself when chairman of the Local Industries Committee. He regretted the fact that over £4,000,000 per annum went out of the colony as interest on borrowed capital, and regretted that Mr Goschen could nob extend his consolidation operations to New Zealand. He thought 5 per cent, a fair rate of interest for mortgage and approved of legislation in this direction. He thought it was a mistake ;to starve primary education by the multiplication of high schools and universities. He disapproved of the proposed reduction of postal rate from Europe to 2id, but thought that in this colony tho weight allowed to pass for 2d might be increased from to loz. Federation was a question which could not be ignored, for New Zealand could neither afford to play a lone hand nor yet become the fag of the Australian colonies. Freedom of trade, uniformity of statutes, and national defence, were the most important considerations. In conclusion Mr Murray moved the following resolutionsl. That local government should be reformed so that all local affairs may be managed by one local body having local knowledge, and be under the direct and effective control of the taxpayers. 2. That such local bodies should nob be hampered by needless restrictions and parliamentary interference, but have the utmost internal freedom consistent with individual rights, and the rights of other districts. 3. That such local bodies should have every freedom and facility to cooperate and combine with one another for purposes of common benefit and the public good, and to form District Councils. 4. That the General Government, thus freed from local concerns, should greatly reduce its establishments. 5. That the General Government should repeal the property tax, and remit power to the local bodies in combination in district councils to tax real estate, either on the natural or improved value, as they prefer, and to remit or retain the gold duty. 6. That there should be no exemptions in rating of lands. 7. That Government should pay the rates on rural Crown “ands, to provide access thereto. 8. That if required the Government should advance the rates for native owners, and exempting native homesteads and lands ' in cultivation by natives, the Government may take repayment for such advances in land at fair value. Lands so taken to be offered for settlement under perpetual fixed leases. 9. That a Government Trust Fund be created for advances within fixed limits of amount at fair interest to local bodies for new works (except harbours), upon requisition signed by a majority in number and valuo of the ratepayers. 10. That such advances may be made in Government currency notes from £5 upwards, such notes to bear interest, payable by Government in gold or its equivalent, and be legal tenders except for Customs duties. 11. That the railways should be worked in the interests of national and industrial development and progress, and that railway management, as such, should not be suffered to dominate or supersede political responsibility. 12. That the Government should try to get the consent of the native land owners to let on perpetual lease at fair fixed rents, the lands which they are not personally using. In reply to a question, Mr Murray said he had not decided to stand for any electorate yet, and in response to a suggestion he further moved, “That a Reform League be appointed to take into consideration questions of importance, in view of the next general election.” The motion ivas seconded by Mr J. Bew. On being put by the chairman, six voted in favour of it, none against, and the resolution was declared carried unanimously. Several persons were then proposed as members, but each declined to accept the position, and it was quite evident the majority of those present differed from Mr Murray with respect to the need for the immediate appointing of a League. Mr Murray expressed regret at this result, and after some further discussion proceedings terminated with votes of thanks to Mr Murray and to the Chairman.