LOCAL BODY AMALGAMATION.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20269, 11 August 1937, Page 6

LOCAL BODY AMALGAMATION.

The Waikato County Council yesterday decided to protest against the provisions of the proposed Local Body (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill, and the plan for the creation of a new county in this part of the Dominion to embrace the Waikato, Waipa and Raglan counties. The Alinister of Internal Affairs contends that “reorganisation is necessary and must take place,” but that was not construed to mean that compulsion would be used to achieve amalgamation. There was a statement made by his colleague, the Alinister of Publio Works, when a deputation of the Waiapu County Council waited on him at Gisborne som§ time ago. The Press Association message read: “An assurance that there would be no compulsory amalgamation of local bodies was given by the Alinister of Publio Works (the Hon. R. Semple), in replying to a deputation. The Minister explained that although the original Bill embodied compulsory clauses these had since been excluded and it was not intended to force the scheme on any local body.” That position would be quite satisfactory, but it remains to be seen what lies behind the expressed intention of the Alinister of Internal Affairs to appoint a Commission to deal with the amalgamations he regards as desirable. There is, of course, the plain statement made by Air Parry when he addressed the local body delegates in conference at Hastings last year. The Alinister then said that this was not a matter for a Commission and that the Government must accept the responsibility. With such conflicting statements to consider it is not surprising to find some uncertainty about procedure in the minds of members of local bodies. Air Semple has stated that there will be no compulsion, and Air Parry says that there will be a Commission, and presumably its findings, if endorsed by the Government, will be binding whatever the local authorities may desire. The appointment of a Commission would be a surprising change of policy, in view of the statements of the Alinister at Hastings, but it seems likely to be the line of approach favoured.

Commissions were not always favoured and when the National Government was in office it was alleged by the Labour leaders that the authorities were letting the Commissions find a policy for them, or were side-stepping their responsibilities. And it should be noted that the Alinister evidently intends to follow the line taken by the Ministers of Finance, Industries and Commerce, and Transport, and make himself the final court of appeal. Just as no one can take any legal action regarding guaranteed prices, the findings of the Alinister of Industries and Commerce about licenses for new industries, or the decisions of the Alinister of Transport regarding licensing appeals, it will be found that the local authorities will have no appeal to any court of the land against the decision of the Alinister of Internal Affairs as to local body amalgamations. That was clearly indicated by Air Parry when he addressed the Institute of Publio Administration in Wellington recently. Strangely enough the argument was advanced that, this method combined “the advantages of democratic impartiality with the benefits of administrative efficiency.” That itself would be difficult to defend but those engaged in local body work should take cognisance of it.