CIVIC AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 197, 18 May 1944, Page 6

CIVIC AFFAIRS

Mr. Hislop Replies To Mr. Roberts INACCURACY CHARGED “My attention has been drawn to the reported remarks of Mr. James Roberts at his election meetings on Tuesday Hight, and in view of their inaccuracy and their intended reflection on my administration over past years, I feel bound'to reply to them.” said the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, in a statement last night. “In the report covering little more than half a column there are no fewer than nine glaring misrepresentations. I quote them and deal with them in order.” * The statement is as under, the quotations from Mr. Roberts’ speech appearing within inverted commas and Mr. Hislops reply immediately following: — 1. - “No essential railway or bus services has been cut for Hutt Valley residents.” .... The No. 2 Licensing Authority informs me that the Hutt Valley bus services were cut by 25 per cent, on the Minister's direction of June, 1942, and had a partial restoration of a little over .8 per cent., much the same as city services in. 1943. An extra bus is run at 1 o'clock-in the morning for employees of Griffin s factory. A bus is also run in the early morning and in the evening for employees of the Ford factory. As there are no trams in the Hutt Valley, those, special concessions may be quite justified, but they do not cater for the general public. 2. “The Government had never refused any corporation in New Zealand either tyres or fuel where they were necessary to convey people to and from work.’’ The following letter signed by Mr. Semple, when Minister of Transport, was received on June 29, 1942, by.the town clerk: “In view of the deterioration in the position of the supplies for motor vehicles in recent months, particularly relating to tyres, it is desired that the Metropolitan Licensing Authority review all those passenger services described hereunder.” The Minister then directed the authority to review the Kelburn Karori, City Corporation, and N.Z. Railway bus services. Mr. N. C. Angus represented the Commissioner of. Transport nt the public sitting on August 14, 1942, and stated that the Minister of Transport expected a reduction of 25 per cent, on the running of the buses on week-days and of 75 per cent, on Sunday running. These reductions have been made, and a restoration of only 8 per cent, has been allowed by the Government Transport Department since that date. —See Commissioner of Transport’s letter, dated May 11, 1943. 3. “The plain facts were that the council had all the authority it required to take action for slum clearance.” . The council has not the power required The Government knows that, and. has been considering the necessary legislation for years. 4. “The Government had no power to build without permits approved by the council.” . • The Government has power, and is not bound by city council by-laws, rhe Government has never taken out a council permit for any of its buildings m Wellington. and for many years gave no consideration whatever to the council s views. Now the Government shows tne council officers their plans, but often only after the building has been erected. 5. “Only recently the Government had sought to build in Adelaide Road, but the council refused, and had granted a factory permit instead.” The council has not been asked by the Government to grant a permit for the erection of flats or dwellings in Adelaide Road, nor has the council granted a permit for a factory instead. The councils ■officers advised the Government Housing Department that the council desired to zone the west side of Adelaide Road for industrial purposes, and the. east side for residential purposes. This is common sense townplanning in order to avoid mixing up dwellings with factories. The Government can still do as it likes, and in fact has built Dixon Street flats higher than would be approved by. the council, and is building (a four-unit dwelling at Khandallah which is contrary to the council by-laws. . 6. “In the depression years the excuse was finance, but money could be found for war for the destruction of humanThe council did not excuse itself on account of finance. The council has not spent any money for the destruction ot humanity. On the contrary, the council approached the previous Government as well as the present. Government, the last occasion being in November of last year, in order to obtain the legislation essential for dealing with the slum clearance problem. The council obtained a complete survey in order to get on with the job, but it is powerless to act effectively till the. Government provides the necessary legislation. 8o far it has failed to do so. 7. “It has ‘socked away’ £5a,000, and now had £500,000 in the tramways reserves account.” . , The council has placed £5u,000 m the reserve fund this year in accordance with the Act, and will use the money for rehabilitation work after the war. The total amount of money in the tramway reserve -fund is less than half of the amount stated by Mr. Roberts. 8. “Lack of foresight had brought about the present position where tram tracks were dangerous.” There has been no lack of fore Sight. Sufficient materials are available, . but adequate manpower cannot be obtained. The tracks are not dangerous and no accidents have occurred due to faulty 9. “Tepid baths were needed and Mr. Appleton had fought them all his life.” This is a misrepresentation of a leading member of the councils over which I have presided. In actual fact Mr. Appleton has constantly supported the proposals.