CENTRALISED CONTROL.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19885, 14 May 1936, Page 6

CENTRALISED CONTROL.

The Transport Licensing Amendment Bill now before Parliament makes many important changes in the existing system of control, and is evidence of a fixed, if not often mentioned, policy on the part of the Government. It is obviously the intention to centralise control as much as possible. The Railways Board has gone, and the Transportation Co-ordination Board follows. The Agricultural Commission is under sentence for it can be dissolved whenever the Government so desires. The former policy of decentralisation, and nonpolitical control is being superseded by one of centralisation with the maximum power in the hands of the Ministers. And, in the majority of cases these powers are being extended. The latest measure aflords an illustration of the system. Appeals from license holders will be dealt with by the Minister and, while he may delegate some person to make inquiries, his decision could be given without hearing anyone, or taking evidence or receiving any representations. It will be admitted that no Minister could personally cope with the work. The adjustments and developments made must bring a large number of appeals when the new system is enforced, so that the decision, in everything but name, will be made by Government officials. The district licensing authority will also be an individual appointed by the Minister. The’power to make regulations by Order-in-Couneil, a practice to which the Labour members used to object strenuously, is to be extended, and that, of course, means greater ministerial control, and in future all licenses for aircraft services will be issued with the authority of the Minister. It is evident that the latest legislative proposals brought down carry the process of‘ccntrnlisntion well forward. There is to he the minimum of delegated authority, and the Dominion will have to await the results. Ministerial control may be acceptable to large sections of the community, but the line between ministerial control and rule by a. bureaucracy is often hard to distinguish.