The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1920. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1920. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

The question of eo'nferring larger powers on local bodies, so as to relieve Parliament of much work that could be better and more economically performed by those having practical experience in local government, is one that eyery now and again crops up for discussion, yet hit! er'co has been unproductive of results. Speaking at Duneclin lately, Sir James Allen referred to this subject by remarking that the time must come, and that soon, when local districts must take on themselves more responsibility for the, control of their affairs. This, he asserted, would be in. the interests of the people generally. In the abstract the proposal for a substantial reform of local Government is desirable, but when it comes to elaborating a scheme that will confer on local bodies some of the powers now possessed by Parliament, especially in the direction of having the charge of public works not of a national character, it will be difficult to know where to begin and where to end. In those parts of the Dominion where roa'ding and bridge building problems are not acute and present no excuse for demands on the Consolidated Fund,. the process of reform would be comparatively easy, but in a province like Taranaki the position would be vastly different. The main problem is finance, and. unless this is satisfactorily solved, no scheme of enlarged powers wijll be practicable. Involved in this proposed reform is the whole system of public works which stands condemned by all who take a businesslike view of the matter. It would seem that the first step to be taken in local Government reform is a complete overhaul of the. present method of grants in aid by the Government. In other words, what is needed is a common-sense public works policy instead of ;l i;he pernicious custom of granting doles, on the success.in obtaining, which constituencies are apt to value the services of their members. This is radically wrong, and the. sooner it is ended the better will it be 'for all concerned. There have been numerous instances of Ministers being extremely jealous of parting with any of their powers, so that it can hardly be expected, although there are many things which eould be dealt with better by local bodies than by Parliament, that the Government .ould be willing to convert these seal bodies into glorified local arliaments, having absolute con- : rol over expenditure in their districts, and furnished with the necessary funds to meet requirements. Of course, if it is intended to impose on these local bodies the obligation to find their own resources out of rates it is quite conceivable that Parliament and Cabinet would eagerly embrace the idea, but it would be a gross injustice that the people would not tolerate where so many miles of nnmetalled, unbridged, and old bridged roads exist, as in Taranaki, north of Auckland, and elsewhere. So far as administration is concerned, local, bodies have demonstrated their ability to do all that is possible with the funds at their command, and they may be relied upon to prove their capacity for undertaking larger powers and responsibilities. Possessing intimate local knowledge, and, as a rule, taking a keen and intelligent interest in their duties, they are in a far better position to know what is needed than either Parliament, the Ministry or departmental officers, and it may certainly be taken for granted that local control of undertakings which are not of a national character would make for economy, speed and efficiency. The time is certainly ripe for a scheme, of devolution of national administration, which would probably put an end to the. multiplication of local bodies and the overlapping of authority. There is ample scope for the talents of a reformer of local Government. The process has been.delayed far too long already, possibly owing to the difficulties by which it is surrounded. At the same time it would be better to leave matters as they are than merely to tinker witli the present system. Nothing but a broad, comprehensive and substantial reform •will be of real service. The present chaotic system requires sys(.ematising, especially in the direction of public health. This involves a reversal of the policy of centralisation, which will be sure to meet with opposition. It would be, a great work in the right direction to localise administrative functions, and it would give a stimulus to those who will be attracted to offer their services if they are clothed with the reality of power instead of with a semblance. Whether Sir James Allen's remarks bear fruit or-not, they certainly direct attention to a reform that would be welcomed by all who have the best interests of the country at heart. The subject is a large one. needing escep-

tional powers of initiative in itsdevelopment. Let us hope that when a move is made it will be on th; 1 right lines that will remedy ii'.e present evils and open np a new era of usefulness for local administrators.