THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1908. LOCAL BODY REFORM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9144, 21 July 1908, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1908. LOCAL BODY REFORM.

The eternal question of local body reform cropped up, of uourso, during the Address-in-Reply Debate, and the Premier pointed out one of the greatest obstacles to securing the much needed reform—viz., that there are too many local bodies and. although, this fact is widely recognised, yet it seems there is no local body, however small, that is prepared to become extinct for the benefit of the Dominion. The Government have in this matter a real difficulty to face, and it is certain that nothing will be done during this session—the last session of the present Parliament. The position of affairs is especially regrettable, as the Premier appears to have considered the question a great deal, and to have a scheme to submit to Parliament when the right time arrives. Speaidng during the debate, Sir Joseph Ward said of locai bodies:—"Not one of them wants to go out of existence, while under our scheme the whole of them would be abolished and a unified authority created. There is

one of the difficulties I want to point out. I do not blame them. From their point of view they are attached to their system of local government. But as we are twitted with not having done something practical, kt mi point out tha difficulties. I want to say that I am persuaded lhat in order to have a wide: 1 local-government system we want an alteration in the system of finances for local bodies throughout this country. lam certain that if wo can get die quest-on of fina'nces once settle! we cun, by large advances under tic Loans to Local Bodies Act—which can be widened and extended—ennblc the local

bo lies to gsc the lavtye amounts they are asking for throughout this country. But to enable that to be done we do require the abolition of a good many of the minor local bodies, and we require governing bodies larger and with more and power than the County Councils, and to give them the power of preserving financial stability by having not only a sinking fund, but by having a portion of the rate available to insure the guarantee of the country itself for the mon?y up to a certain amount. That would baa relief to the pressure upon the Central Government, which cannot possibly under the present system- meet the demands for an ever incrsasing limit." The fact, however, that small local bodies do not wish to be abolished is not a sufficient reason for the Premier to delay urging and pushing on with the suggested reform.