The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3855, 7 May 1881, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1881.

Ik a late issue we gave the substance of the proposed Local Public Works Bill as sketched out by Major Atkinson in his address to his constituents at Taranaki W« said the Bill was an attempt to meer the demands of the local bodies for more extended powers, and that such would hare to be granted, or an effort would be made to resuscitate provincial institutions. The Bill may be all that the Government consider necessary and in keeping with k n Pplic* of centralisation, yet we ■hall be surprised if many modifi- | cations are not required by Parliament The Bill wbenj.,d before the House last session provided for increased powers being given v the matter of taxation, and a rite to the extent of 2s iv the £ wa s

! possible. The borrowing powers were also altered, and local bodies were to be permitted to borrpw\ where they could, and pay any rate ©fv«iterest. While we we "in* farer -ot increased powers being given, "that-""'***, not mean without*;* limitatioD,-for we well know if unlimited powers were placed in the hands nf certain corporations they would %c abused. It'is strange that the prJsenfc Ministry should be the advocates of such a scheme, when many of the gentlemen in it used as Iff nr^iiMMWtWSmM^mXWeV^^^ of borrowing in the hands of the old Provincial Councils would be sure to lead to the financial ruin of the colony) yet now they propose to allow a multitude of small Councils to borrow to an unlimited extent; probtbly^they may>consider the difficulty some corporate bodies would find in*, getting- lenders may be protection' enough for the colony and that those who" will borrow will be able : to pay. That may be all rery well for a season, but corporate bodies as well as individuals often find that the results of their speculations often fall far short of their anticipations. If a county were to become hopelessly bankrupt, the. Colony would undoubtedly hare to take over the liabilities. The Bill further provides that Crown lands were to pay a tax,' but the rate was to be at a fixed sum, not in proportion to the amount paid by the settlers., Native lands were to be taxed, but the owners were not to pay the amount, it was to come out of the revenue payable by the Government, it being held that the natives were not in a position to pay taxes. As is well known this bill did not get a very good reception, and was consequently dropped, to be again introduced if we may take Major Atkinson's word for it, during the coming session. The feeling is however, universal, that such a measure is not at all sufficient to meet the wants of the country, and on all sides we hear of conferences ,of local bodies being held and resolutions passed The Bangitikei County Council and an adjoining Boad Board, at a late meeting passed the following resolution among others, and it gives pretty fairly the feeling'of the majority of the ; local bodies" upon the subject we have r been discussing:— "That in the opinion of this joint committee, the machinery employed by the Legislature to take the place of the abolished provincial system of government is utterly inadequate to carry out the functions of a good local government, rendering it absolutely necessary that a better system* be provided; and this joint committee pledges itself to use all constitutional means of inducing the Government to bring down a bill in the forthcoming session of Parliament dealing fully with the matter, and with that object invites the co-operation of all the local bodies in the Colony.".