WHO PAYS?

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 11

WHO PAYS?

"TRYING A BLUFF."

TRANSPORT COMMISSION COSTS.

LOCAL BODIES' STAND.

OPPOSED BY CITY COUNCIL.

"They tried to put a bluff over us, but it didn't come off as far as I am concerned," stated the Mayor (Mr. G. Baildon) at last night's meeting of the City Council, when the question of repaying the costs of the local bodies represented before the Royal Commission on transport was under consideration.

The city solicitor reported that the Transport Board Bill had been forwarded to the Prime Minister. It had been temporarily held up owing to counsel for the outside local bodies claiming that a clause should be inserted in the bill to the effect that the local bodies should have their costs paid by the proposed board. On the question being referred to the Mayor, Mr. Baildon had declined to agree to the proposal, Mr. Rogerson, acting for the local bodies, intimating that he would apply for the insertion of the clause. Large Sum Involved.

When the report was under consideration, the Mayor said he was still of the opinion that no such clause should bo agreed to. The local bodies should pay their own expenses. It would amount to a very large sum in all. At the conference nothing had been said about the matter. It would be found that there were costs in addition to the legal expenses. Where would it end? There was the possibility of the board being saddled with heavy expenses. The council had met the local bodies in every way, and the clause should be strenuously opposed. A threat had been made that the bill wouljl not be proceeded with as far as the local bodies were concerned. He moved that the suggested clause' be opposed. Mr. A. J. Entrican suggested that the bill should be withdrawn in the event of amendments being included in the bill in committee, which were not agreed to by both parties—the City Council and the local bodies. "Lobbying" might be done, and clauses inserted that would not be acceptable to the City Council. Mr. J. A. C. Allum considered that they should take no action. The council had paid nothing out of the general fund. The expenses had been paid out of the tramways account, a liability that would be taken over by the transport board should it be foTmed. There was no reason logically why the suggestion should be opposed. He moved an amend- , ment to the effect that reasonable costs be paid by the board.

Mr. G. Knight said the council should defend itself and not leave it to the {louse of Representatives. Miss Ellen Melville thought reasonable costs could be easily ascertained by taxation by the Registrar of the Supreine Court. A Prediction. Mr. A. J. Stallworthy said that the Auckland City Council was the reputed father of the Motor Omnibus Act. He prophesied greater difficulties df itihe bill went through. He was opposed to the bill in its present form.

Mr. E. J. Phelan: Some of the councillors are getting panicky again, (Laughter.) Mr. Allum's amendment agreeing to reasonable costs was defeated. Miss Melville said that the members of the council who were not on the small' committee appointed were quite in the dark regarding the bill. The decision

that the council had just made would prevent any compromise on the question of coats.

Mr. Entriean suggested that the solicitors on the other side had not rendered their bill of costs, which, in his opinion, would be large. The council decided to instruct the member in charge of the bill in Parliament that no amendment would be accepted 1 without the consent of the two parties.