LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 203, 28 July 1937, Page 8

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THE AMALGAMATION BILL. MINISTER’S OBSERVATIONS. WELLINGTON, July 28. “Probably' no Bill before Parliament ;in recent years has been given more I sustained consideration than this one jto pave the way for the consolidation of local bodies,” said the Minister of [internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry), when referring last evening to the [ Local Government Amalgamation Schemes Bill, which was circulated at the end of the last session of Parliament so that it could be- thoroughly considered by' the public. “There is in some quarters, of course, objection raised to some of the general aims of the policy of local body consolidation,” said the Minister, “but what reform attempted, however necessary' it is, has not encountered at the' outset spirited opposition which eventually passed awayr But what lias been noticeably pleasing in the conference which 1 have had with the local bodies to consider the Bill is the enthusiasm which they have manifested throughout. 1 feel that the thought given by members of county councils and by the various boards to the proposals has, despite their long experience in local body administration, given all a greater knowledge than was Eerhaps previously possible of the iglier principles governing the functions of local government. When the Bill is being dealt with by the Legislature next session all concerned will have a complete grasp of the reforms the Government aims at achieving in the interests of the people.” Mr Parry said he had yet to meet the wishes of local bodies in the Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, and North Canterbury to address them on the Bill and would do so as time allowed. Before the session opened he proposed to make public his impressions on the result of the conferences he had attended in both islands.