CIVIC PRIDE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1942, Page 2

CIVIC PRIDE

LACKING IN NEW ZEALAND? IMPORTANCE OF TOWN PLANNING. ADDRESS BY MR J. W. MAWSON. The m-cd of planning for the future new world order and the important part to be played by the youth of today was stressed by Mr J. W. M-aw-;:on, Government Town Planning Advisor, in an address on “Civics” at the Wairarapa College prize-giving ceremony held in the Assembly Hail, Masterton, last night. “11. is a truism, of course, to say that a town or city in its outward presentment is a clear index to the social mindedness, enterprise, culture and civic pride of its inhabitants,” said Mr Mawson. “One of our distinguished visitors once said to me after a tour of I he North and South Islands, ‘Now Zealand is a lovely country and I like the people, but in many ways they are barbarians; for instance I could find very little evidence of culture or civic pride in your towns and cities.’ I protested indignantly against such «■ sweeping statement but in my heart I bad to agree that there was a good deal of truth in it. Mr Mawson urged that the matter be looked at with an unprejudiced mind. Culture meant intellectual de-’ velopment. As applied to a town that would mean a knowledge and appreciation of civic art and particularly good architecture. How many could recognise good architecture? It was a reproach that was in our power to remove. Mr Mawson said that there was no profession except perhaps that of medicine capable of rendering such great service to the community as that of architecture. They had in New Zealand one of the finest schools of architecture in the British Empire, which was turning out brilliant young architects who had proved in open competition that they were as good as any in the world. A way in which all could help would be to see that every new building should be designed by a qualified architect-. “Deep down in our hearts, whether we are conscious of it or not, is a pride in our home town and a desire to contribute something to its advancement,” continued Mr Mawson. “How can we do this? How can we add to its beauty? Size has nothing to do with the matter at all. The smallest village can be as lovely as the largest city, probably more so. First there must be order and efficiency. Someone said recently that beauty and efficiency walk hand in hand and gave as examples the modern streamlined motor car and the aeroplane. You cannot have order and efficiency without town planning. You Cannot have a' beautiful town or city without the orderly arrangement of its functions. That is what town planning means. I would define town planning as the orderly arrangement of the streets, parks, schools, and residential, commercial and industrial areas in relation to one another and to the town as a whole so that each can perform its functions with the maximum of efficiency and economy and promote the health and welfare of its inhabitants.”

“Here, then, is a way in which we can all help to make our town more beautiful,, healthy and efficient; a town in which it is a pleasure to work and live,” said Mr Mawson. “There is still much to be done, however. We must build up and maintain a well-inform-ed public opinion to guide and Strengthen the hand, of the town council in formulating and carrying out a town planning policy. One of our failures in New Zealand is our inclination to think we have done our part when we have recorded our municipal vote. How can a council reflect public opinion if the electors have no opinions? , “We can see that all buildings and monuments of historical interest and places or objects of natural beauty are preserved for posterity; that as many of our streets as possible have grass verges and are planted with trees; that our buildings and fences are kept, in a good state of repair: that our private gardens are well laid out and carefully tended; that slums and substandard houses are banished from our midst and that there are abundant facilities for cultural and physical recreation for every man, woman and child in the community. Don’t worry about the cost: these things are far cheaper in the long run than disorder, ugliness, sickness and crime.” On the motion of Mr L. T. Daniell. Mr Mawson was accorded a vote of thanks, which was carried by aclamation.