THE WARD SYSTEM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 160, 23 November 1912, Page 5

THE WARD SYSTEM.

ABOLITION DECIDED OX. A meeting of the Borough Council was held last night to consider the advisability of abolishing the ward system. The Mayor presided, and there were present: Crs. Gilbert, Morey, Mannix, Wilson, Stocker, Ambury, Buxton, Uuttiinore, Hartnell, Jackson and Kibby. The Mayor said the borough, as at present constituted, consisted of live wards, with twelve representatives. The present method of compiling rolls for each of these wards, under the existing franchise, was cumbersome and not at all reliable. It had happened, under the residential qualification, that voters had moved into another ward by the time the roll was ready for issue. The law provided for not fewer than six councillors or more than twelve, and in creating new wards they were to contain not less than 1000 of a population. On the population basis they would find the position here as follows:—Three wards, New Plymouth 5238, with nim> councillors; one ward, Fitzroy, 700, with two councillors; one ward, St. Aubyn-Motu-roa, 1000, with one counciilur. Looking at the position on the valuation basis they would find that New Plymouth wards, with a valuation of £l/222,748 had nine representatives; Fitzroy, £132,330, two representatives; St. AubynMoturoa, £200,704, one representative. Continuing the analysis, so far as tinquestion of area was concerned, the position was that New Plymouth, with an area of 875 acres, was divided into three wards; Fitzroy, with 600 acres, constituted one ward; and St. Aubyn-Moturoa,. with 2495 acres, only constituted one ward. If the ward system was to continue, in defining the new wards, the population basis was the only just and fair way under the existing franchise. This method, however, would lead to many difficulties, and would often want readjusting as the suburbs became more thickly populated. Taking the whole question as it now existed, he was convinced that it was in the interests of the town to eliminate the ward or parochial system. Under the ward system there often arose great difficulty in selecting a candidate within the .area; under the present system a ratepayer had to select the ward in which to exercise his vote. He might reside in one ward, own property in three wards, and vote in a ward in which he had no interest. In by-elections four-fifths of the people took no part. By abolishing the ward system the people would take more interest in miwifiwil matters; they would have the choice of the whole population in selecting their representatives; councillors would approach borough questions with a more open mind if the parochial feeling did not exist. In all the boroughs of the Dominion there were only fourteen that carried on under the ward system. He proposed that the ward system be abolished.

Cr. Ambury seconded this, and said that the figures the Mayor had put before the Council were sufficient argument to carry the resolution unanimously. Tie felt, that the ratepayers would be better satisfied, and probably better served, if they had the opportunity of selecting-the whole of the twelve councillors.

Cr. Morey heartily supported the proposal. Cr. Jackson felt that the subject was one on which the Council should not form a hurried opinion, though personally he felt he must support the resolution.

The Mayor said the matter had been before the Council now for some months.

Cr. Gilbert said he had heard 110 argument yet that had convinced him that the abolition of the ward system would benelit the town. Witli a scattered borough such as Xew Plymouth lie felt that the ward system was more satisfactory, and that the requirements of the different parts of the town would be better attended to. lie was opposed to the abolition of the ward system, though he had come to the Council with ail open mind, and was prepared to be convinced. Cr. Wilson said lie was inclined to support the motion. For some time he had felt that the requirements of tho borough would be better looked after if it was worked as one ward. When he was elected as representative of the St. Aubyn-Moturoa ward he had interviewed many of the ratepayers on this question, knowing that it was to eomo before the Council, and they were unanimous in the opinion that the wards should be abolished. The question had, however, arisen as to whether the borough would have a more workable Council if it consisted of only eight members, instead of twelve. Cr. llartnell said that the wards as they at present existed should be abolished, but he certainly felt that tho whole of the borough should then be divided into, say, four wards, with equal population. Where a ' borough was so scattered the outside portions should have a representative, lie was, however, like Cr. Gilbert, open to be convinced. Cr. Kibby said that when the question was first mooted he was opposed to it, but in the meantime he had obtained information from other parts of Xew "Zealand, and now he felt he must support the proposal. Cr. Amtrory said that one of the Councillors had said 110 argument had been brought forward to show the advantages of abolishing the wards. On the other hand, he had heard no argument in favor of the continuance of the system. Ho pointed out that even if the system was not abolished the whole of the wards would have to be revised, and considerable expense would be incurred.

The motion was carried, the Mayor and Crs. Morey, Wilson, Stacker, Ambury, Buxton, Jackson and Kibby voting in the. ayes, and Crs. Gilbert,! Mannix, Buttimore and Ilartneil with the noes.