STRONG PROTEST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 March 1939, Page 9

STRONG PROTEST

BREACHES OF BY-LAWS BY GOVERNMENT. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION. > (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN, March 8. A move in the direction of preventing the over-riding of local by-laws and building regulations by the Government was made by the conference of the New Zealand Municipal Association today, when the following motion was carried unanimously:— “That this conference views with deep concern the growing practice of Government departments and tenants of Crown lands committing breaches of local body building by-laws, being of opinion that such practice is fostering disrespect of properly-constituted authority, and is subversive of the best interests of good government. The conference further strongly urges the Government to arrange that all work carried out shall be subject to local body by-laws and that permits shall be obtained, even though no fees are paid.” Discussion of the matter arose as the result of the presentation of the following remit by Mr J. A. C. Allum on behalf of the Auckland City Council: —“That in connection with building operations undertaken by Government departments it is recommended that legislation be enacted requiring the Crown to adopt the same procedure as a private builder, namely, to supply the local authority with building plans, to take out a building permit.and pay the usual fee.”

Mr Allum said he realised that the principle of the remit might be regarded as a curtailment of the prerogatives of the Crown, but he would like to say that the remit had been drafted before the recent disastrous fire in Wellington. He said he thought the Government should set an example by complying with the by-laws designed for the promotion of public health and safety. It was subversive of good government for the general Government to ignore such regulations. The president, Mr T. Jordan, said that the matter had been considered the previous evening by the executive committee, which had formulated a resolution that the conference might think covered the position more fully. He suggested its substitution for Mr Allum’s motion. This course was agreed to and the resolution as set out above was adopted.