55

H.—l4

local bodies on a definite principle. That the system this Committee would recommend the Government to adopt is the one that has been in force for many years in New South Wales, and which has been outlined by the Minister in his address. That this recommendation is made without prejudice to the interests of cities and boroughs. 8. That it be a recommendation from this Committee that all local bodies be authorized to invest their own sinking funds through their own Commissioners, excepting such loans as are granted by the Government Advances Board, and that any section of any statute providing otherwise be repealed. (1.) Should the sanction of the Local Government Board be necessary before a loan is obtained? —That, in the opinion of the Committee, the sanction of the Local Government Board be not necessary before a loan is obtained. (2.) Should the power to borrow be in any way limited, and to what degree?— That the powers to borrow should be limited only by a vote of the ratepayers. (3.) Should all local loans be obtainable only from or through the State-guaranteed Advances Department I —That it is desirable that increased facilities be granted for obtaining from the State-guaranteed Advances Department all loan-moneys authorized to be raised by the ratepayers; but that, failing the advance of any such loans by this Department, it be admissible for the local body concerned to obtain the required loan elsewhere. Local Government Conference Committee No. 2. The Committee to whom was referred " Municipal, with Special Relation to Inclusion of Contiguous Districts and Town-planning," have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that the resolutions annexed hereto be acceded to. C. J. Parr, Chairman. Resolutions passed unanimously by Committee No. 2. —" Municipal, with Special Relation to Inclusion of Contiguous Districts and Town-planning." 1. Cities. —-That, in view of the fact that the cities and large boroughs of the Dominion have special circumstances and liabilities in their administration, due to most of them conducting electric tramways, light, gas, water, and other trading ventures which differentiate them largely from other local bodies, we are of opinion that such cities and boroughs cannot, without serious injury to the community, be incorporated in the proposed Bill, and this Committee is of opinion that they should be excluded therefrom. 2. Suburban Boroughs. —That we are of opinion that the suburban boroughs of the Dominion should not be included in the proposed provinces, such boroughs being satisfied with the powers of administration conferred on them by the Municipal Corporations Acts, and being desirous, when their burgesses so wish it, voluntarily to amalgamate such suburban boroughs with the cities. 3. Smaller Rural Boroughs and Road Boards in Cities. —That with respect to the smaller rural boroughs and those Road Board districts adjoining the cities or forming part of the suburban area of the cities or boroughs, this Committee is of opinion that the Government should set up a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act to report as to which of these bodies can, in the public interest, be amalgamated with the counties or adjacent boroughs, as the case may be. This Committee expresses the view that such amalgamation in many cases is desirable, and should, if necessary, be compulsorily effected. 4. Subsidies. —That the system of subsidies to boroughs be continued, and in case of their merging in counties the subsidies for the boroughs so merged should be continued to the counties. 5. Town-planning. —That this Committee is of opinion— (a.) That special legislation to provide for town-planning is urgently required. (&.) That in particular it is necessary in the public interest that the subdivision of suburban areas for settlement should be more strictly supervised than hitherto. (c.) That any town-planning authority should be representative of the local authorities affected, or likely to be affected, with the addition of special experts on the subject. Local Government Conference Committee No. 3. The Committee to whom was referred " Counties, Road, and Town Boards, with a Special View to Abolition and Amalgamation of Minor Local Bodies and Enlargement of Counties," have the honour to report that they have considered the same, and recommend that the resolutions annexed hereto be acceded to. Wellington, 23rd May, 1912. A. E. Jull, Chairman. Resolutions. The Committee set up by the Conference to consider Counties, Road and Town Boards, with Special View to Abolition and Amalgamation of Minor Local Bodies and Enlargement of Counties, have the honour to leport that they have carefully considered the same, arid beg to make the following recommendations to the Conference : — ' The Committee proceeded to business on the assumption that the proposed provincial districts be abolished. 1-. Domain Boards. —The Committee recommends that all Domain Boards within counties be vested in County Councils or municipalities. 2. Road Districts. —The Committee recommends that the present dual system of control by counties and road districts should cease, that the county system be the system that should be retained, and that due regard should be given to the interests of the districts now under the oontrol of Road Boards with regard to representation and otherwise. ;. The Committee also recommend that in the meantime some simpler method be adopted for merging Road Boards into counties than at present exists, such as by taking a poll.