THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1911. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10290, 19 July 1911, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 19, 1911. LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM.

On© of the imeasuras whack have been, consistently promised and as consistently repudiated by the present Gov- i raramenlt is that having for its object j the reform of the existing system of local government. The late Mr SediSom on two o rthxee occasions pro- j noised a comprehensive measure dealing with the subject. A Bill was actually framed and. circulated sum* yeans hack, but it was so thoroughly emasculated !by the various Conferences and local bodies to whom Vt was submitted that it was nererj (brought before the Bouse. Sir Joseph Ward, since he has been Prm« Minister, has given several undertakings to introduce a measure dei'.ing ■with this important subject, but, while he bias considered himself quite competent to amend .the constitution of itbe British Empire, he has proved himself utterly unable to present legislation affecting (the economic working of a .system which he has had opportunities of 'studying ever since he left his political swadlmg-clothes. Why has he not kept faith w.th the public in this matter? Is it that he finds it inexpedient from the point of view of votes? Or, J s the subject beyond tEa fcapaoiity of Mjh- ' asters? Whatever, th« reason, the ', fact remains that the system of lot*l government is in a Condition of absolute clfeos, and no serious «.tterapt if betofi made to repair it. It Is qmfte tmr&asoniaM* to expeo* tfc*t in

the ishort session, which is abort to commence any serious attemot will be mad© to deal with the subject. Nor does it iseera. probable that the Waid Ministry will risk its reputation by even- circulating a measure. The matter is one which the elejtms would do well to ponder over in the next few months. The Oppo?i ; i.m, many of the members of whioh have had long acquaintance with local bodies 1 , have promised a dive measure of reform should thev ibe returned to power. And it is for the electors to say whether :t i« not preferable to entrust their political destiny to a party which will male an honest attempt to grapple with a legislative problem, rather than to one which has proved itself unable or unwilling to pay deference tc the clamant demands of a large section of the community for an important reform.