POSTPONEMENT URGED.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20283, 27 August 1937, Page 10

POSTPONEMENT URGED.

LOOAL BODY MERGING COUNTIES WANT INQUIRY 'JBy Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday to the opinion of the New Zealand ■Counties’ Association the Local Gov•Onanent (Amalgamation Schemes) Bill •hould he held up until a thorough Inquiry has been held. The biennial Conference of the association, which Yesterday morning listened to an ad«lree* on the Rill from the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, last night unanimously adopted the. following recommendations of a subcommittee set up to consider the proposals: u (1) Before the proposed BUI is Proceeded with It would be of farYeaohlmr advantage if a thorough inSdry were lielri with a view lo ascertnlng what functions can best be discharged by the national Government, ■what can best be carried out by local government, and how the framework Of local government could best he con - structed io discharge such functions. The Inquiry should define anil coordinate national government activity svhore it cuts across local government Activity, and report on the effect, of dual Control brought, about by the State taking control of portion of the high ways. (2) This conference respectfully urges the Minister to hold up the Rill untO such inquiry has been held and a report made available. * (3) Subject to the foregoing we purport amalgamation whenever it can be shown that it will secure a reduction 1n expenditure and/or increased efficiency. We add that In the event of any scheme for amalgamation being propounded at any time the onus of proving it will be advantageous shall rest deflnftely on those who propound such a scheme." A remit urging that the proposed legislation should be amended to provide for a poll of ratepayers before any amalgamation scheme was put Into effect was referred to the executive for action later if thought necessary.