CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5025, 14 May 1895, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

COUNTY AMALGAMATION. [to inn editor] Sir,—l am afraid I must disagree with your two leading articles in last week's Weekmt Tiuks, headed "Wairarapa South County," and " The Doom of Local Bodies." I'or fifteen years past, I have consistently advocated County amalgamation, and I am exceedingly glad to see that the Hon. Mr Seddoii intends to introduce a Bill in that direction. One thing is quite curtain, viz,, that we have too many Local Bodies. The local affairs of the District, from the Manawatu to Pallisor Bay, would be far better looked after by one strong County, than those at present in existence. There are also far too many Road Boards in Wairarapa North and the Forty-mile Bush. What the Premier's intentions are 1 do not know, but every credit is due to him, for bringing down the Bill he proposes soas lo convert some system of order in the present chaotic state of local government, You may perhaps like to read the report of our late County Conference, I forward you a copy of same, In it you will find a paper contributed by myself, which the Premier approves of. I trust you will understand that that paper was written in the best interests of local government for this colony, and tpiite apart from any party motive. I have little doubt that when the Premier brings down his Local Government BHI Captain Russell will at once say that he will give him every assistance in passing so necessary a measure. I would ask you not to charge me with prompting the Premier in this matter. Mr •Scddou is quite able to introduce any Bill he thinks necessary himself. 'You will see in my paper, that ho had already in his own mind determined upon sotting up District Councils before even our Conference met. As to the question of ono-mau-one-voto in Counties, there is no such principle now in New Zealand. The principle was abandoned when women were given a vote. With regard to rates and the South suffering from the Forty;mile Bush, no Local Government will succeed if it is taxed upon rates, and not upon population and area, Rates wcro Sir Harry Atkinson's stumbling block, hence the present chaos. There is absolutely no danger whatever of one penny of the road rates levied in Wairarapa Southgoingto Wairarapa North. But should fcho North Valley ever want assistance which the South can justly give, I for one am ready to give it, As to our lot being a happy one, and our charitable aid rate small under the present system, all I can say is, that the number of persons seeking charitable aid at the present time is a disgrace to us. This will never be altered until we check the power of onrcentral par-, liament by a proper system of local bodies. With respect to the charge that the policechieilyadministerlocal Government now in the Colony, that is quite true, and I wish to see tho Counties appoint their own police, In my opinion the Hon. Mr Seddon's Government will gladly be relieved of a great lot of work,noff performed centrally in Wellington, which should bo performed by tho Local Bodies, Even a man of Mr Seddon's iron constitution (the lirst necessity for a Premier), must break down under the immense amount of work forced upon him. For theße many reasons I welcome his proposed Bill, and shall do my best to criticize it, ' I am, etc., Coleman Phillii'S. The Knoll, Pealherston, May 10.