MARINE BOROUGHS' ATTITUDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 7

MARINE BOROUGHS' ATTITUDE.

"A DANGEROUS PRINCIPLE.' LOCAL BILL OBJECTED TO. As a result of a copy of the "Auckland City and Museum Empowering Bill" finding its way into the' hands of tho Marino Boroughs' Association, it was discussed by the Association at its meeting last night, when strong objection j was taken to two particular clauses. The chairman, Mr. T. Lamont (Mayor !of Devonport), before reading Clauses 8 and 9 of the biU, stated that he thought it tho duty of the Association to take special notice of the local bill submitted to Parliament by the Auckland ; City Council, because it contained cer- , tain proposals which appeared to chalI lenge the interests of all local bodies concerned with the control of endowments. The Auckland City Council, under" l Clause 8 of the bill, sought extended powers in relation to streets and public j works, and proposed that if it be deemed expedient to acquire land for construction of roads, or other public j utilities, it should be given certain authority. The powers sought, in his opinion, struck at fixed principles in regard to endowment lands. The corporation wished authority to close any portion of land which might be deemed to be a public street or highway, also to lease or sell such lands as if they were the freehold property of the corporation. The Auckland City Council sought power to exchange such lands for any other lands required for purposes of public works, and to sell or grant I leases at tbe council's terms without submitting the same to roiblic auction !or public tender. What, is must be asked, was the real object of that clause in the bill? Did it mean that the council could dispose of any part of the Domain, for example, or any other land in which the citizens of Auckland were permanently interested? There was a suggestion, said Mr. Lamont. that the bill might clear a way for finalising the interrupted negotiations between the City Council and the Harbour Board for the construction of the Quay Street railway. It was the duty of every public body interested to oppose with every weapon in their power this proposed bill. It had taken hundreds of years to bring their lawa -esnecting endowments to their present state, and it should not be in the power of any lesser authority than Parliament to dispose of any of those lands which were a heritage of the people. He moved the following resolution, to be forwarded to the Hon. the Prime Minister and members of Parliament: "That the Marine Boroughs' Association is opposed to the passage of Clauses 9 and 10 in the Auckland City and Museum Empowering bill, which authorises the transfer of public endowments from one local body to another without reference to Parliament, or submission to public auction or tender, on the grounds that the principle is a dangerous one and that the specific instance for which legislation is sought is contrary to the best interests of the citizens of Auckj land, and particularly inimical to those of tiie trans-harbour boroughs." I This was carried. -I —