PLAN REJECTED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 7

PLAN REJECTED

LOCAL ELECTIONS LEAD FROM GOVERNMENT (By Teletrrapn.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Wednesday A resolution that no elections be held this year was defeated by 67 votes to 24 at the annual conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand yesterday. A number of delegates abstained from voting. The president, Mr T. Jordan, in moving the resolution, said it was not on the order paper, but he felt that the conditions in the country today warranted consideration. Mr A. E. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston North, seconded the motion. Mr T. C. A. Ilislop, Mayor of Wellington, opposed the proposal. He said one of the things the British people were lighting for today was the preservation of democratic institutions. The conference should be careful not to deny the people the right to choose their representatives. He did not believe that holding elections would divide the people. Local body members should be the last to say whether the elections should be postponed. An amendment by Mr G. Manning (Christchurch) that the conference abide by whatever decision the Government reached, according to the conditions obtaining at the time of the elections, was not accepted by the chairman. Mr R. McKeen (Wellington) suggested that this year’s elections be held and the conference recommend that future municipal elections be postponed for the duration of the war. Amendment Withdrawn “This matter is the most important business of the conference,” said Mr I. J. Goldstine, Mayor of One Tree Hill. He moved an amendment that having regard to the international situation and the circumstances outlined by the Prime Minister and for the purpose of maintaining complete unity in the community war effort, the conference express the opinion that the time had arrived for the constitution of a National Government and the postponement of municipal and national elections. Several delegates objected to the reference to national politics which, they contended, were beyond the province of the conference. At the chairman's suggestion Mr Goldstine withdrew his amendment. Opposition to the motion was expressed by Mr H. T. Morton, Mayor of Te Kuiti, and Mr R. J. Mills, Mayor of Mount Eden, who said the motion would be a retrograde step and that the Prime Minister should have given a lead as to the necessity for the postponement. The decision was readied on a show of hands. HARBOUR BOARD'S VIEW (By Telegraph.- -Press Association) AUCKLAND, Wednesday No support for proposals from Dunedin to ask the Government to alter its decision to hold the local body elections in May, was forthcoming yesterday from the Auckland j Harbour Board. Members agreed they saw no reason why the elections I should not be held on the date lixec iby law. The matter arose Iron: i letters from the Dunedin Citizens' Association and the Otago Harbour Board.