MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1919, Page 4

MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE.

> IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. . Wellington, Last Night. At the Municipal Conference to-day, a notion by Timaru relative to the perpetual renewal of the corporation towel, was lost. On the subject of disqualification of councillors in connection - with contracts and supplies, it was unanimously <J». cided, on a remit from Christchurch, to amend the Act to read: "If payment of contract or worlf or supply exceeds £25 per day for one contract or work or supply, or £IOO altogether in any year."

A remit from New Plymouth vm carried urging an addition to section 42 of the Act after the word "loan," the following: "Or the supply to the corporation of water, gas, eleotricity, or any other product of any undertaking eontrolled by it or sale by corporation of any fixtures, fittings, or appliance! for the better use of any such produota, if such supply or sale is at prices charged to other consumers or purchasers." It was also resolved that a ahartholder or director of an incorporated company shall not be disqualified by reason of the council employing any newspaper published by such company for advertising purposes or employing such company for carrying out printing works for the council to the extant of more than £IOO of work in any financial year.

The Municipal Conference passed the following resolutions:— That the Government be asked to bring amending legislation so that the Audit Department will include profit and loss accounts in the annual inspections where municipal corporations are carrying on a number of trading concern*. A remit from the Auckland City Council that owners of theatres should be compelled to provide Banitary accommodation, vreia carried unanimously. On the recommendation of the New Plymouth Borough Council it was also resolved to seek power for the licensing of grandstands on racecourses and sports grbunds.

It waß decided that in view of the numerous accidents and fatalities dab to motor traffic and of. toe iaet that such traffic and its attendant accidents are rapidly increasing, urgent representation be made to the Government io at once pass legislation of a comprehensive nature to secure efficient control of such traffic.

It was also resolved to urge that every Borough Council should be the registering authority, irrespective of population. It was decided to ask Parliament to introduce legislation making Saturday half-hloiday universal throughout the <vhole Dominion.

It was resolved that the attention of the Government be called to the unworkable condition of many of the proYiaionß of the Public Health Amendment Act,

I A proposal that insurance companies should be compelled to contribute to the support of all Are brigades under the control of local bodies was adopted A remit that the importation of flints of moving pictures and their distribution to managers be nationalised and controlled by the Government, was carted. It was decided that the Government be urged forthwith to pass legislation enabling local authorities to collect general, separate and special rates upon all lands acquired by the Crown tor workers' dwellings or any other purpose. r A remit was carried that in order to ensure uniformity of action, the police reports be obtained on the character ef every person applying for a license as car-driver, hawker, billiard-room proprietor, etc. r , The Municipal Conference proposal that the hospitals of the Dominion should be nationalised and treatment should be free of cost was defeated, after a lengthy discussion. " ' A remit that contributing local bodies should have direct representation on hospital and charitable aid boards was oarcarried. A remit condemning the pretest »ygtern of hospital administration and urtmg an amendment of the law to provide for representation of the Government and local bodies on boards in approximate proportion to their respective contributions, and stating that the present system of subsidy from the Consolidated *und was arbitrary and inequitable, was adopted. The housing question was discussed and it was resolved that the Government should provide the capital for the building of houses by municipalities. With regard to workers' dwelling, tie conference resolved to urge that nrovision should be made for a council assisting the worker to purchase land on erected* 6 had ' lmdy been A remit was carried asking the Government to make it compulsory for all loca lbodies to apply the provisions of tho Superannuation Act to their employees and requesting the Government to enlarge he scope of the National Provident Fund to mclude payment for sickness in addition to superannuation.