County Counoll Finance.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 10 December 1903, Page 2

County Counoll Finance.

Tlve following resolution dealing with Oovennment grants to local bodies, an<l the recent cancelling of the same at the end of September, has heiii adopted by the Hobson County Council, which is requeuing similar bodies throughout the colony to co-o|>erate in endeavouring to Obtain a satisfactory arrangement : 1. That the cancelling of 'authorities for works under Government grants as proposed by circular No. 82, issued to county councils l>y the .Department of lioaids, is a distinct breach of contract, and could only 1«) made good by setting aside the laws of the colony.

2. That the delay in the expenditure of gran t money is caused by lh§ withholding of the authorities ly the executi iv, which prevents works being put in hand until 12 months after the money has been votod by Parliament.

.'I. That the arbitrary course proposed must lead to trouble and confusion in the work of county councils, and i«movw uny security Upon which they may I>a.se thoir estimates of work to lie undertaken (or the year.

4. That the inci-eased uncertainty emphasises the unsatis-iuctoriness of ll.i' whole system af (Government ■gvaiit.s, and the neceswity for the inauguration of a system baswi upon a graduated subsidy, gtving a substantial advantage to those counties whose nwils cause them to collect a heavy rate.

The Taranaki County Council has decided to co-operate with tl*c Hobson Council in the matter.