The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1920. THE COUNTIES BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1920. THE COUNTIES BILL.

The amendments made in the committee stage of ttie Counties Bill, though by no means embracing all matters of county administration requiring legislation, may certainly be regarded as a welcome instalment. Tie measure, as originally framed, was mainly intended to consolidate the law relating to counties—a very desirable step—but advantage has been taken of the opportunity to make some important alterations after hearing evidence relating thereto. The number of ridings in any new county formed except in the case of a merger of two counties —is restricted to twelve. In very few, if any, cases would so large a number be justified, and it is probable that tb>e better plan would have been to fix the maximum at seven, giving the Minister a discretionary power in special cases to increase the number to nine. The attempt made to deal with the problem of road and town districts appears to be well conceived, for the existence of dual authorities in the same district is not in the best interest, of the people. It is now pfoposed that where the capital value of all rateable property in road districts in any county is less than two-fifths of the capital value of all the rateable property in the county, such road districts may, by speeial order of the county council, be merged into the county. Another provision prevents any riding comprising any area which is part of an undivided road or town district. Possibly it would have been better to abolish town and road districts, leaving to boroughs and counties the whole of the work, especially as counties are to be given new powers in relation to sanitation, drainage and water supply, as well as to establish and maintain public halls, mortuaries, and cattle dips. There is 110 reason why county councils should not have all the powers of borough councils, even though some jnay not be put into operation. This principle is partly recognised by the Bill in the provision that is made for borrowing beyond the present limit of overdraft, and power that doubtless lisljp aountv cqun-

eils out of temporary financial difficulties. The proposed regulations as to elections appear to be (juite satisfactory, as also are the clauses concerning disqualifications of ratepayers as to signing petitions, and of members of the council in connection with contracts. At the same time there exist good reasons for contending that the. whole question of local Government should be thoroughly overhauled before the present Bill becomes the law. There is no immediate hurry for this consolidating measure which could very well be submitted to a conference of local bodies so that it may contain as nearly as possible all the provisions deemed suitable for efficient modern administration. If this course were adopted it should result in a measure worthy of Parliament and of great service to the country for many years to come.