Proposed Abolition of Wards.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7732, 7 February 1905, Page 2

Proposed Abolition of Wards.

PUBLIC MEETING. Do Change to Be KaiU.

I pursuant to adveriisemerii a public meeting was held at the Town 1 llalß last night. His Worship the iJluyor preslidod, but either from lack of interest, or the wet weather, the attendance was not large. In opening the proceedings the Mayor stated that the proposal had been mooted some eighteen months back. He refcrrWl to the difficulty sometimes experienced in getting jcandidates to fill vacancies, and mentioned several boroughs where Itnc system had been altered, lie then briefly refesred to a printed handbill which had been circulated in [the west ward urging ratepayers to retain the present system, ami. poavI ted out that the councillors worked for the general good of the borough. Or. CoHis »uid that if the west waitf had only spent there the amount of rates coUected it would have been very badly oiT. He admitted there was a time when the outside wards did not get. their full share of rates, but the position was now reversed, and those wards were helped considcnioly out of the ceil- j jtrul ward's rates.

Mr A. K. I'eddie moved that the Wards renin iu us they are. The motion was seconded by Mr S. Bropks. Mr Dpckrili supported the motion, as in t||e past the system hud worked; wel|, and so far as bo Knpw there Wa9no cumplai|it about the system, mill "(to dcf-ir,; for a change, llu conskleitxl the expenses would bu jincreased threefold if the system were ohangvd, and eligible candidates might be prevented from coming forward'.

Mr Ccpil Wriglit emphasised the that each wai>d Would paltirally pilfer Jlavjng its own represeul.itives, and that u system lor so long in vogue should not be lightly altered.

I Mr Stevenson' opposed the motion, and moved IJuat this meeting is iu favour of (iboljsl-rng wards, and lenders its hturty thanks to :he council for ponvoning the meeting and ■•nabli'ivg the ratepayers to express their opinions on the matter.

I Mr Christopher, in seconding the iwrtjon, contended that Ikkt.iii.sj ,-, system had been in existence for a long period it should conli:ii:<», but ho pointed out that the reaping hunk given way to the harvesting lliaehine. and that many other improvements would not have been effected if changes for {he bctl.-r h-id not taken place. He stated' that Parliamenit was an obsolete iusi'Uition, and that it was in tr.e perof ammiuipa.ities I hat the interests of the people could be safeguarded;.

Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R., supportled the motion. He said that judging from riic remarks of the mover and seconder of the amemlui?nt the J meeting was a political one, and he only say to those gentlemen j Who/ were continually howling, against Parliament and its members 1 that they had better get into Parliament and sec what they could Imuke of it. Tire present system hud .worked well, and he consider! d its |ab'olit<ion would not be to the beat mteresfsof Ine Wrougb, ■C .._ . ;. ,

I Mr Ahier said that he opposed the abolition of the wards, and from inquiries in the east and west wards ho found the ratepayers averse to tho change.. 11 it was if.gtiv 1o abolish waivis why not do auiiy with Parliamentary electorates, The reason was obvious, for the member representing a particular board or constituency naturally was more uc.(yuaintod with the needs awl requirements of the district. He fell sure there was some underlying purpose in in the proposal that was not apparent on the surface, and he strongfly opposed "the proposv.l I change. Mr Fra.scr snid that he hod been 'appnlednt the power vested in councillors in the past, especially when jho realised some of the councillors, .though doubtless wise, had not that übiiily which litted them to give orders involving larger expenditure. [Men might bv honest, but yet nuot ,1)0 able men. lie urged the 'ratepayers to consider earnestly their financial position.

| Tint Mayor said he felt worry that ,councillors had come to the unxvtjng |to air tlfir grievances. He denied that councillors were chiefly iiilciestoA in airing their fads. 'He was convinced that in time New Plymouth would l.e a large town like Auckland, and in conserving such spaces ; ,s the West End Park Mr Uockrill and others had done excellent service to the borough. ft seemed to him (the Mayor) that as hn?" i°'V? d n ° W » ni * ° n « ™te | they should be enabled to use their vote tor the election of all the coun-

The amendment was then put and on a show of hands declared lost, the originul motion being carried bv a large majority. J A ""■'<.; oi. thanis to the Havor concluded ithe proceedings. '