City Will Not Join Metropolitan Board

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 1

City Will Not Join Metropolitan Board

GREATER AUCKLAND SCHEME AMALGAMATION PREFERRED Having spent some months deciding its attitude in regard to the metropolitan board scheme for Auckland, the City Council has turned the proposal down, considering that by linking up with the city the outside bodies could secure the best results. This will be the substance of the reply to the other local bodies. Included are these statements: “While agreeing that the time has arrived for a reduction in the number of controlling authorities in the metropolitan area and for a consequent | simplification of local government, the council is of the opinion that the proposals submitted, while not achieving that object, present legislative difficulties which cannot be overcome with- ! out disturbing the whole fabric of local government as established throughout I the Dominion. The council directs i attention to the many districts which, as a result of a vote of the inhabitants therein, have amalgamate! with the city, under the authority of the ; Municipal Corporations Act, during ! the past 15 years, and is of opinion i that all who desire to secure simplicity and efficiency in local government in Auckland should co-cperate with the City Council to complete the amalgamation of all local authorities (excluding the Hospital and Harbour Boards), in one strong, united authority possessing complete administrative powers throughout the area.” “I know it might not be considered diplomatic for this council to support so drastic a change as was suggested by the influential deputation that vraited on us,” remarked Cr. L. A. Eady. “I am not in agreement with council's decision.” MADE ONE MISTAKE In his opinion the scheme was not put forward to embarrass the council, but to try and assist the city and citizens in the whole area. TSie council had agreed to the drainage and power boards, which nullified its objections. He noticed that t?ye Hospital and Harbour Boards were excluded, but did the council want to reabsorb the poNAser board? The Mayor: It realises it made a mistake. Cr. Eady questioned whether everything was going as smoothly as was suggested. T£me after time tl\e difficulties had- been increased by amalgamation. The council committees were overburdened with detail, and proposals had been shelved and ] shelved agaiai. | The details should be left to the disI tricts concerned, and the big general j questions decided by a metropolitan be- d. The councillors could not grasp all the affairs, and the criticism of the council w*as probably largely due to thfis. Cr. A?lum considered that however good a -scheme w r as put forward it was not for Auckland to push it. The responsibility was with the legislators in Wellington. The time had certainly come for simplification, and the new scheme did not present that feature. The proposal that the other bodies should join the city was the only one under the circumstances. The council’s attitude was the result of long serious consideration.