REGIONAL PLANNING

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1947, Page 4

REGIONAL PLANNING

Counly Wants Council To Be Given Chance That it would fully support and idvocate the resurrection of the Manawatu Regional Plannirig Council was the basis 0!f a hiotion passed by the Horowhenua County Council at a special meeting ih . Levin on Friday. The . subject arose following a letter from the executive commit:ee of the council. The letter iitated that the council was.. originally 'set up on August 29, 1945. The Gowerninensk laad then off ered co make available an offlcer to act as seeretary, " but unfortunaiely it ' nad withdrawn him, stating that the local authoricies would have to provide the clerical offlcer. This was eonsidered by the local authorities as a breach of the original arrangements an view of the fact that the r'egi'onal plans had not then been prepared. The result had been that ' the couneid had decided to cease active operation. > Now that the Governnient's tenyear regional plan -had come into xeing, and a statement had been made that it would be guided by .he regional council in such matters as priorities,' the question arose as to whether the council vould .continue to function or go into recess. If it decided to go oh, the Government had intimated. mat it would subsidise the cost of ierical assistanee on the basis of ,5s in the £, which meant that 25 per cent. would be borne by the lovernment. leaving 75 per cent. co be found by the various local jodies. On the assumption that ,ie cost of clerical assistanee and other expenses amounted to £1000 annually, this would leave £750 to a found by the local bodies on he basis of £75 each. The letter continued that a pecial meeting would be held in 'almerston North on June 3 to dscuss the matter fully, in order o decide whether the expenses antailed in setting up its own offlce organisation was warranted, and asked that representatives be sent from each local body. Commenting, the ehairman. Mr. 3-. A. Monk, said he personally chought the council should be xllowed a chance to function. .'he cost to eaeh local body of £75 . as infinitesimal in comparison Jo the good that might result. UI hink we should send a representative and be prepared to go on . /ith this seheme. They estimate :he cost at £1000, but I can hardly credit that it will cost that much," continued Mr. Monk. "Something will have to s be done if we are to have a $ay in regional plahning, vhich will have vital consequences to the future prosperity cf this irea. We should not be afraid to •pend £75 a year to be properly represented." Politica-i differences should not re .afiowed to enter into the matr er, continued Mr. Monk. It was a question of whether it was good -or he district or "New Zealand. md -any bias should be brushed Aside. The council should at least 'have the opportunity of functionmg. Though it might prove too costly in respect of results, it Iiould at least get a trial. In proposing that, Cr. J. H. P. •Liggins represent the council at the forthcoming meeting, Cr. A. I. Gimblett said he-agreed with Mr. Monk that the council should be given an opportunity to function, out' said he thougnt the Government should adhere to its original £ for £ subsidy. There would be . eonsiderable opposition to its continuance, said Mr. Monk when suggesting that -he council go further and pass a motion urging that the Regional Planning Council be resurrected. The motion was passed unanimJUSly. ;•