PATRIOTIC COUNCILS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 21, 25 February 1942, Page 5

PATRIOTIC COUNCILS

ZONING PROBLEM

COMMISSION VISITS

WHAKATANE

A committee consisting of Messrs T. Jordan (chairman of the National Patriotic Council), R. H. Nimmo (Deputy-chairman) . B. H. Jacobs and C. Todd appointed by the Minister of Internal Affailrs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, visited Whakatane on Monday and met the Zone K. Patriotic Committee. The 1 committee heard evidence regarding the proposal that a separate Waikaito Patriotic Gouincil be formed thus severing that district's connection with the Auckland Provincil Council. The suggested change emanated from the Waikato district and has brought before the Department of Internal Affairs the necessity for enquiring from zones if it is considered that more councils arc required. Evidence is also to be taken at Rotorua, Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland. In introducing the visitors the chairman of the Zone, Mr J. L. Burnett, stated that what the local committee had considered was what effect such a change would have on the Zone activities and patriotic work in general. Whakatane and Opotiki had found conditions satisfactory under the Auckland Provincial Council although it was admitted that some changes in the constitution or regulations were required . However, these introduced would rectify faults without the necessity of having another Council. He continued that Zone K did not wish to be allied with the Waikato in that they differed strongly on cne important point. The opinion locally was that a goodly portion of funds collected should bo earmarked for rehabilitation, while the Hamilton Zone considered that all monies collected should be spent and after care of soldiers be the responsibility of the State.

Mr Burnett also stated that if "sYicTi a change was made then o number of other districts would wish to brealc away in various parts of the Dominion. Another important point was that it was inevitable that administration costs would jgreatly increase. Mr Tom Steele, of Opotikj, stated that his area was very pleased to be •associated with Wliakatane and considered that the Auckland area had "been very satisfactorily managed. To make the change would be an error and if the suggestion was adopted then Zone K Avould have 1 to consider its own opinion. There were, he continued, anomalies and weaknesses in the whole structure but these 1 coukl be rectified without making separate councils. The chairman pointed out that there was the point of representation, the metropolitan area having more members of the council than the whole of the country area. This he said should be rectified. If the suggestion was adopted then Zone K would want a reconsideration of "Its own position and felt that by being represented on a Waikato council would not mean any improvement on the present arrangement, in regard to work accomplished. His Worship the Mayor spoke in support of the chairman stating that the work had been proceeding satisfactorily and that one of his main points of disapproval of any change was that administration -costs should be kept to a minimum. "More councils would mean that such expenditure would be increased. There were several other speakers supporting the views expressed and at the conclusion the committee thanked the members of Zone K foir the clear manner in which they had stated their opinion.