THE COUNTIES ACT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 711, 6 January 1877, Page 3

THE COUNTIES ACT.

Sir, — I am one of those who can see that it is a great deal easier for most men to condemn a new scheme or system on vague generalities, than to take trouble m assisting to work it out to a successful issue. I hear many condemn the Counties Act, but if you come to talk with the greater number of them, and drive one point after another honie you will oblige them to confess they never read the Act, or at least dont quite understand it. One thing is very clear— we cannot revert to the old system. That is not only dead but buried. Nor do|l think any of us would be willing to do so if we could, not even your correspondent, S. A. M.. Some uniform system, however, must replace that old one. "We cannot goon satisfactorily as a community with the new constitutions working on one side a river, and Wellington centralism on the other. .

As to the cry, the only serious charge I have beard made against the New County system, of the exprnsive character .of the county staff, likely to be introduced if the fall powers are undertaken, I look upon that as pure bunkum. There is certain work to be done m the county* chiefly work of-Sflpervl§ion, which the Road Boards cannot .do,and which either the General Government or the County willhave to do. Does anyone believe the General Government will do this work more cheaply than, or as s ene J apTy "as we could, and would do it ourselves? I say, no! most emphatically no! and therefore I say by all means let us endeavour to work the new system of Local Self-Government to the best advantage, that is, by doing the work ourselves, keeping the strings of the purse m our own hands, and those who immediately control the expenditure and devise .the works under the pressure of local public opinion which, as it made them Councillors can again unmake them. 1 am, &c, T. O.M. ■■:; Cambridge Jan. 2nd 1877.