TOWN PLANNING

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20508, 26 May 1938, Page 6

TOWN PLANNING

NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD APATHY AND MISREPRESENTATION WELLINGTON, Wednesday Town planning is not properly understood, stated the Hon. W. E. Parry, Minister of Internal Affairs. >n addressing a meeting of the Town Planning Board to-day. lie thought this was largely due to apathy and partly because it bad been misrepresented. sometimes by misguided enthusiasts and sometimes by vested interests. Many people wrongly saw in it either an unwarranted interference with, nr even confiscation oi. property rights, or just another device for thinking up projects on which to expend the ratepayers’ money. Mr Parry gave a most, definite assurance that the Government never would stand for anything in the nature of

confiscation of property rights. What had to be done in the people's interest in the way of purchasing such rights would be done as in the past, after full inquiry and the payment of compensation assessed by the Compensation Court. The Minister said, in view of the social security legislation, the amendment of the Town Planning Act would have to stand over till after the general election. Though the Government was sincere in its belief in the social and economic advantages of town planning, there was no escaping the fact that there was no great public demand l'or it at present.