TOWN-PLANNING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10614, 12 June 1920, Page 8

TOWN-PLANNING

LEGISLATION PROMISED DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. The Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) was waited upon by delegates from the Now Zealand Federated Town-Planning Association yoiteiday, when they placed before him their views in regard to town-planning legislation whicn. they hoped will bo introduced in the coming session of Parliament. The Hou. C. J. Parr, -U.P., introduced tho deputation, and, with Messrs A. Hunt, G. afneliell, M.P., and Carwcll Cooke, stressed the need lor tho creation or a Department of Town-Planning at tho head ot aldcli should bo. an export who could advise focal bodice in regard to future operations—not academically but practically—and behind which should bo a commission to act as a Court of Appeal should local bodies not altogether agree with tho findings of the expert. Tho Minister, in reply, said ho took a great interest in town-planning, and adued that ho would have suppoitod tho Hon. G. W. RumolTs bill had it como ftwwaj'd. Ho knew it was not desirable to allow land syndicates to cut up areas without a thorough supervision; in fact, years ago ho had intluenced Mr Roderick -McKenzie to provide for a measure of control. Ho was in favour of creating a department and appointing an expert, but what was gomg to be done then ? Were there to bo built any now townswhich would require super vision?

Mr Anderson added a that lie took it the work of tho export would bo very largely in educating tho public, and of Uiat, ho was very much in favour. He could not promise that a bill embodying tho wishes of the dopu tation would go through this session, but ho would promise that it would ho brought down this setmon or next. There would bo no difficulty, ho thought, in getting his colleagues to agree to that; it possible the bill would com© down this year. It was astonishing how much town-planning legislation there was in existence al ready in different laws, and ho thought much could bo achieved by collecting this in one bill. Tho Minister, in conclusion, referred to the" deputation’s remarks concerning the scheme of public utility committees in Great Britain to assist in overcoming tho house shortage and under which tho Government subsidised groups of people willing to erect houses. If the proper safeguards were provided, ho thought that might achieve tho end in view. Personally, ho was very much in favour of each man owning his own house. Nothing could be. done, however, without the thorough help of those necessary in the building of houses, and in this connection he hoped carpenters and others required would become available and put their whole will in getting tho necessary houses erected.