TOWN PLANNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 May 1919, Page 6

TOWN PLANNING.

OPENING OP CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 20.

The Town-planning Conference was opened this morning by the GovernorGeneral. The Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs, is presiding. The Acting Prime Minister welcomed the delegates, and referred to proposals for erecting war memorials in France, Gallipoli, and Palestine. He said the Cabinet would consider the acquisition of land in France for the purpose of erecting a memorial. The question whether memorials should be erected in Palestine and on Gallipoli would also be considered. He outlined the proposals put. forward by the War Graves Commission for the formation and decoration of soldiers' cemeteries. With reference to the erection of memorials in New Zealand, his personal view was that utilitarian memorials, such as hospitals, universities, etc., would not meet the purpose, which was fittingly ,to perpetuate the Meat sacrifices of our time as lesson;: for future generations. Such lessons could be taught only by artistic memorials. Mr. Luke, Mayor of "A'ellingtor.. also extended a welcome to the delegatec.

Mr. G. W. Kussell, in his presidential address, emphasised the practical nature of the confe'renc: arid the importance of its aims. Fki-res showed the great growth of population of boroughs in New Zealand as compared with the county population. The problems of tovnplannic? were accentuated by the growth of T/and speculation liad no regard for the future, and it was time legislation was passed making it impossible for any person to sell residential areas unless provision was made for the properties fitting in to a clearly defined scheme of reading, drainage, and water supply. He was satisfied that this countrv must embark upon a grfeat scheme for housing the people, and must, talk in millions if we were to have a happy, contented people. The transit problem was also very important in preventing overcrowding. He suggested that the zonal system mußt be applied to encourage people to live at a distance from their employment. The financial problem could be met only by graduated subsidies to. assist smaller towns, or by special assistance from State advances.