Harder line wanted

Press, 9 April 1979, Page 15

Harder line wanted

PA Dunedin! Local authorities are wor-' ried about violence and vandalism but are divided on! what to do about it. The issue was raised at! the Municipal Association’s; conference at Dunedin by the Mayor of Nelson (Mr R. A. McLennan), who called for the Government to take a harder line with trouble-makers. “The situation is deplorable to say the least,” Mr McLennan said. He was not prepared to settle for any softer form of action. The problem had to involve the infringement of reserves by-laws, problems with gang premises, morals, transport regulation infringement, and general trouble in keeping law and order, he said.

I However, while other delegates were in sympathy with the problem, hot all were iprepared to support a hardline approach. I Councillor Mollie Clark, of (Christchurch, said the problem was a matter of growing concern in the community but a negative attitude would only encourage vandalism and violence. ■ Instead, local authorities should be encouraged to • enter formal liaisons with the local police to try to ’ take preventive action,' she said. • The Mayor of Welling- • ton (Mr E. M. C. Fowler) was also opposed to hard* line action. “Our role surely is that of a preventive approach- on the question of vandalism and gangs,” he said