A CIVIC LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 278, 18 August 1921, Page 6

A CIVIC LEAGUE

FORMATION RESOLVED UPON / The objects explained 'A. meeting of representatives of the Progress League, the Welfare League, and the Karori, Seatoun, Lyall Bay, Northland, Roseneath, Melrose, Eastern . Suburbs, Kilbimie, and Ha taitai Batepayers’ Associations was hold in the Accountants’ Chambers last night to con- “■ aider a proposal for the formation of a Civic League. Mr. G. Mitchel, M.P. (secretary of the Central Progress League) presided over an attendance of Borne 21 delegates. , Outlining the steps that had led to the calling of the meeting, Mr. Mitchell said that when the Town Planning Association decided not to play a part in ' local polities it had been felt that some body representative of the citizens should fulfil the functions that tho Town Planning Association was giving up. A meeting of representative citizens had been held, and that mecl : g had set up a committee of six memoers, two from the Town Planning Association, two from the Progress League, and two from the Welfare League. A draft constitution had been drawn up for presentation to the next meeting, over which Mr. Hunt (president of the Town Planning Association) presided. Mr. Hunt generally approved of the proposed constitution, and it was thought that tho •Town Planning Association would adopt ft. Since that time, Mr. Hunt had not found it convenient to come to meetings held in connection with tho formation of tho league; he had not been able to persuade the Town Planning Association to adopt what had beau put forward. Delegates from the various associations surrounding tho city had had an opportunity of consulting their associations regarding the formation of a civic league, and it was now proposed that the league should be formally instituted, nnd provisional approval be given to the draft constitution. The meeting would be asked to set up a provisional executive committee to carry on until the (annual meeting, which was to bo held Within four months. The executive could get into' touch with bodies that were not represented at the meeting, nnd could go through tho constitution to perfect it. Then at the annual meeting the officers of the league would be elected and a fresh start made He hoped that by that time the other bodies would have joined,up under the Central Civic League. In reply to a question, Mr. Mitchell explained that it was hoped that the Town Planning Association would content to take up tho work of the Town Planning Department referred to m the proposed, constitution. , . , Mr. A. D. Bayfield (Hataitai) explained that his association had not empowered him to" taka an active part in the meeting and exercise a vote. He was present as an onlooker. Mr D. M'Laren (Welfare League) said that if they could get proper representation of the business interests m the centre of the city, and of people in the outlying parts, they would be able to build up a league 'that would be effecive for good in New Zealand. He was glad to say that there were present some men representing the business interests in tho centre. Others had expressed their approval of the movement to found a, civic league. Mr. T. Donaldson (Karori) said his association wished to know whether there was a danger that at the annual meeting individual votes would "swamp” the votes of branches. His association had decided to hold off till.it had further information. Mr. M'Laren said that in the drafting of the constitution every effort had been made to ensure just representation for all At the annual meeting four.members would be elected to the general committee by the delegates and individual members, and in addition one representative would be elected by each of the affiliated branches. When the individual members of the league or any branch exceeded two hundred in strength an extra representative for each fifty additional members would bo elected. Speaking of the number of separate ratepayers’ associations that existed, Mr. M. A. Carr said it was only by combination of effort that they could hope to achieve anything. Tho powers of local bodies were inadequate to-day. A league might bo able to compel such bodies to obtain the necessary powers. It was disgraceful, for •instance, that people should be permitted to own property and not keep it in decent repair. There was power to condemn in certain cases, but something more was needed. He hoped that the meeting would affirm the desir- ' ability of amalgamating to improve municipal conditions. Eventually the meeting carried a motion provisionally approving the draft constitution, and bringing the league into being. It then proceeded to elect a chairman and a provisional executive '* to hold office up to tho time of tho annual meeting. Mr. Mitchell was electbed chairman, and a committee of the following members was returned:— Messrs. M. A. Carr, P. C. Watt, A. C. Blake, D. M'Laren, A. TT. Parton, L. <l. Chisliolm, J. Leuchnrs, and J. Aston. It was decided that the provisional •executive should seek a conference with' tho Town-planning Association with' a view to enlisting the co-operation of that body. A vote of thanks to Messrs. Hwpor, M'Laren, and Mitchell for the work they hod done towards the formation of the league was carried by acclamation. THE CONSTITUTION PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIONS. Tho provisional constitution adopted by the meeting was headed by a declaration of loyalty to the Empire. "The league,” the constitution proceeded, "shall bo independent of all . party and sectional control, and shall function solely us a free association of citizens directed towards the city’s improvement and the general welfare. "For the purpose of securing the best govenißieut ui tiie port un<l c.ty the aseociation will take part in recommending and supporting suitable candidates for membership of th;i City Council and other local governing bodies. “The league will exercise its function in assisting tho elected representatives of tho citizens by suggestions, reasonable criticism, and such voluntary aid as may be deemed helpful. It was proposed to constitute within the league a Department of Finance (to advise the league on local government questions and finance generally), a Depart of City Planning and Development (to advise on town-planning and similar matters), a Department of Legislation and Education (to advise on questions of municipal, health, and local government law), and a Department of General Purposes (to advise on general matters referred to it).