H—2B

4

In all cases where the proposal is submitted by a local authority, or a formal inquiry is made prior to the submission of a proposal to the Commission, the local authority or authorities whose districts are, or may be, affected by any decision the Commission may make are apprised of the proposal, either by the Commission or, at the request of the Commission, by the initiating local authority. This results in a much clearer understanding of the proposal by all interested local authorities before the Commission formally considers the request, and assists to a large extent in attaining a spirit of co-operation in the reorganization of local government. Preliminary investigations are undertaken by the Commission, in conjunction with the local authorities' representatives, concerning particular proposals which are submitted. These investigations are conducted, as far as possible, in an informal manner, and the issues are clarified for the Commission and the local authorities concerned. They also assist in determining the desirability or otherwise of a public inquiry. This procedure, however, is not, in our opinion, suitable in the case of major inquiries, where a considerable number of interests, apart from those of local authorities, are involved. Our procedure is constantly under review with a view to its improvement, and the establishment of more effective relationships with interested parties in the best interests of local government. From time to time, representations have been made to us to investigate matters which are solely domestic so far as one or more local authorities in a particular district are concerned. The functions of the Commission are specific, and in these cases the matter has been referred back to the local authority or authorities with a suggestion that they refer it to the Minister of Internal Affairs for consideration as to whether the Commission should be requested to review the matter and report to him thereon. This is an indication that local authorities desiring assistance with certain of their problems have confidence in the Commission, and although the matters are not directly within our jurisdiction, in those matters which have been referred to it by the Minister the Commission has been able to assist in solving the problems involved. Where proposals for reorganization are made to the Commission by a local authority, the Commission requires the request to be in the form of a certified sealed copy of the local authority's resolution. Where the request is for an alteration of boundaries, a locality plan is required showing the areas which are the subject of the proposals and the relationship of these areas to the existing boundaries. When a proposal is submitted to the Commission under the Local Government Commission Act, 1946, or under any other enactment, the Commission, through its officers, undertakes preliminary factual investigations, and before deciding to take any action in respect of the proposal the Commission satisfies itself i hat a 'prima facie case exists for some change in the existing structure, and that the change will result in effective reorganization which will be for the betterment of the people in the particular area. Many of the decisions of the Commission are made without the necessity of holding public inquiries, but before issuing a provisional scheme the Commission satisfies itself that the proposals are soundly based, are generally supported by the local authorities affected, and that the people in the area have not only been made aware of the proposals as fully as is reasonably possible, but are generally in agreement therewith. There is, of course, a further safeguard, in that, on the issue of a provisional scheme, any interested party, whether it be a local authority, Government Department, organization or an individual ratepayer or elector, has the right, within one month of the promulgation of the scheme, to object thereto, and to submit the grounds of objection to the Commission before a final scheme is promulgated. Every effort is made, by direct