Taumarunui wanted north

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 261, 1 November 1988, Page 8

Taumarunui wanted north

I can only suppose that the Local Government Commissioner has got so wound up in catchment areas that he has contracted water on the brain! I have observed the carrying on between the various local bodies over the past few years as Mr Ellwood has tried to cajole, then threaten the Taumarunui Borough and County Councils to join forces with the 'Boogie man' of the Four T option hanging over them. How he must be laughing now, having stripped the Taumarunui County of the Westem Shores, and consigned both county and borough to the oblivion of a southern confederacy when all logic points them north - wards. Isolation Taumarunui suffers a major problem in that

it does not neatly fit any particular mould, but its very isolation makes it vulnerable to every tin pot politician, or commissioner charged with bringing about a better way. I would argue, and I'm sure many Taumarunui people would endorse the viewpoint, that what makes T aumarunui special is its isolation, and its ability to provide a range of community services perfectly tailored to its own needs. It does not need to become part of a Great Wanganui District Council, or whatever form of Area Health Board that the powers that be dictate should be.

The latest proposals to base local authorities on catchment area is absurd in Taumarunui^ case, and in reality destroys the concept of democracy. Nobody but a simpleton could suggest that it's to Taumarunui's advantage to have the power base centred on Wanganui or Palmerston North, when the lines of communical all point north. Think about it! Television New Zealand beams in Top Half, Radio 1ZU links with 1ZH, the New Zealand Herald edition carries northern region news (look at how Taumarunui's plight under the local government reorganisation was re-

ported this week). The only point of difference is the Daily News, which links the King Country with Taranaki, but that's not even the community of interest that Mr Ellwood and his cohorts have tried to foist upon us. Objections Taumarunui has until November 10 to lodge is objections to the proposals, and Mr Ellwood has already given notice that it will need a very compelling argument before he and his cronies will change their minds. I believe this is too important an issue to be left to the two councils to fight - it needs a public outcry of a kind not seen in Taumarunui for a long time. My understanding is that under existing legislation, 15 per cent of the eligible voters Turn page 14

Taumarunui wanted north

From page 8 in a proposed combined local body can demand a poll to say whether it should proceed or not. That should be the least the district should be aiming for. I would like to think that more than 75 per cent of the people in the district will sign a petition demanding a poll, and then vote overwhelmingly to reject the EI1wood proposals. Opposition The commissioner has the power to overrule your democratic say, but it will be a brave government that will proceed in the face of such united opposition. Make no mistake - this is but the first step. Once the new regional boundaries are set in place, they will apply to all other official services. In simple terms this means you will be forced to drive to Wanganui or Palmerston North for hospital care, rather than Waikato. Your donation to such tings as the CAT scanner at Waikato will be down the tubes. Moth-ers-to-be face a two hour drive down the Parapara or an even longer drive to Palmerston North should they need more than basic ante-natal care. Let's tell Mr Ellwood that it's not on! And lets hope our elected representatives, Mr Bolger, Mr Scott and Mr Wetere will get in behind us and help us preserve a very important lifestyle.

Mark

Ebrey

Waiouru meeting The Waiouru Army Training Group military camp was the venue for the monthly meeting of the Wanganui Rangitikei Power Board in October, for the first time ever. Once every year the board holds a meeting somewhere out in its region, "to retain its community contact". It was the first time in its 67 years of service to one of the board's major customers that they had held a meeting at Waiouru. Board members were treated to a "first class" lunch at the officers' mess.