TOWN MANAGEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1939, Page 7

TOWN MANAGEMENT

ROTARY CLUB DEBATE.

CASE FOR AND AGAINST EXPERT' CONTROL.

“That the interests of the community would be better served by the appointment of a town manager," • was the subject of a debate at yesterday’s weekly luncheon of the Masterton Rotary Club. The appointed speakers were:—

Affirmative: Messrs E. G. Coddington (leader), N. R. Cunningham (seconder). Negative: Messrs H. H. Daniell (leader), R.. Lee (seconder). The adjudicator was the Rev. E. J. Rich. The leaders spoke for seven minutes each and the seconders for five minutes. No vote was taken.

Owing to the unavoidable absence of Mr Coddington, his place was taken by Mr J. H. Cunningham, who used the notes that had been prepared by Mr Coddington. Declaring that it was foolish to run what was nothing else than a big business by committees of amateurs, Mr Cunningham said: “We all know that the type of individual that so often gets on a town council —usually a mild, inoffensive, please everyone, type of nonentity. Imagine a ship run by a council —it would indeed be lucky to arrive anywhere, except perhaps on the rocks. Imagine a business, big or small run in that way? Nothing but confusion and unprogressive beating of the air would result, and how often is this true of public bodies?” ■■ As a better method, Mr Cunningham recommended retaining a council as a board of directors, while the real management would be in the hands of the town manager, a man properly trained and familiar with all details of civic affairs. He Would also be well versed in all business methods.

“Then again it has been known—and one need not mention any specific town —for abuses to creep in under the present system, not the least being the granting of personal favours to friends and relatives. No such thing as this would be- likely under a town ger,” said Mr Cunningham. Leading for the negative, Mr Daniell said that dictatorial control of a community might be necessary in a time of national crisis, such as war, but it would not do all the time. Prejudice would play too great a part in a scheme of control by a town manager. There was also the question of financial control. Mr Daniell said he considered that with the Town Manager, the family question would always be a burning one. The “wife’s brother” would be in on all the good jobs and that type of thing. It simply would not work. A man appointed to such a position would be afraid to offend anyone for fear of losing his job, with the result that the town would derive no benefit. Mr N. R. Cunningham who seconded the affirmative contended that the matter of corruption would not be a factor in the appointment of a town manager. He was of the opinion that under the present system the chances of corruption were much greater. For the efficiency and general welfare of a town, a town manager was essential. A specialist has a distinct advantage over a lot of amateurs.”

The seconder for the negative. Mr R. Lee said that in an emergency a man able to take charge and make decisions without consulting others was an asset. “But we are not living in the state of emergency all the time.” he said. “The opposition have referred to the body of citizens who controlled our borough as 'a lot of amateurs,’ but in the majority of eases they were successful business men. Further, they were guided by the Town Clerk and the Borough Engineer—two specialists."

In summing up, the adjudicator congratulated the speakers on the manner in which they had put their matter forward and also on the manner in which it was delivered. He considered that Mr Coddington's address was the best, but that the team work of the negative was the better and in a close contest his decision went to the negative. _____________