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1933. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir, — Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, Ist September, 1933. I have the honour to submit herewith the annual report of the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1933. I have, &c, Malcolm Fraser, Under-Secretary. The Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Internal Affairs.

REPORT.

Local Government. The closer contact established with local authorities as a result of the prevailing economic conditions, resulting in certain unprecedented actions being taken, and the general trend of thought in regard to local government generally, made the year a noted one in the local-government activities of the Department. Counties. —The boundaries (if six counties were altered, and county and riding boundaries were affected by borough boundary alterations. Three County Councils passed special orders altering riding boundaries and, in two cases, adjusting representation. Certain powers of Borough Councils with respect to water-supply were conferred on the Waikato and Waitaki County Councils, the powers in the latter case being exercisable over the Kurow area only. The time for holding the annual meeting of two County Councils was extended. As required by law, the triennial general election of members of County Councils throughout the Dominion was held on the 11th May, 1932. The time for holding the election in the Mackenzie County was extended, it having been interrupted by exceptional weather conditions. The recent legislation contained in the Counties Amendment Act, 1931, was availed of to a considerable extent, twelve more County Councils having passed special ordesrs abolishing the system of separate riding finance in counties. Boroughs. —The boundaries of the City of Auckland and of the Borough of Timaru were altered by the inclusion of additional areas and two further cases of altering borough boundaries were considered, but had not yet been disposed of. The Cambridge Borough Council passed a special order reducing the number of members of the Council to six. The One Tree Hill Borough Council was given temporary authority to deposit certain surplus funds with the Auckland City Council. The Municipal Conference, postponed for two successive years on account of the exceptional economic conditions prevailing, was held at Rotorua on the 2nd and 3rd March, 1933. The Conference was of particular interest, partly on account of the lapse of time since the previous one was held at Invercargill in 1930, and partly because of the exceptional times through which we are passing. The responsibilities and difficulties of local authorities were greatly increased thereby, and gave rise to discussions on local-government problems of more than the usual importance. The Department was again represented at the Conference, thus ensuring an intimate knowledge of the problems and difficulties which the local authorities have to face. A report of the proceedings of the Conference was later printed and submitted to the Government for consideration of the several remits and resolutions passed.

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