CITY GOVERNMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 246, 18 October 1927, Page 6

CITY GOVERNMENT.

The attempt made at the meeting of the Auckland Power Board yesterday to bind the Board to oppose any loss of or change in its separate identity was rightly defeated. One may respect the concern lest a business so large and specialised should pass into the hands of a body less competent to direct it, but that is not a sufficient reason for closing the door altogether upon the new ideas that are being canvassed by revisionists of local government. When these ideas have been thoroughly discussed in all their bearings, the Power Board may be able to say with justification that it is not convinced a change is desirable. Until then the door should be left open for negotiation. Indeed, no local body is ever in a position to say that it will never under any circumstances take a certain course. It cannot control circumstances. It is not difficult to imagine a change in Auckland's system of government under which the Power Board would disappear or be something different, and there are members of the Board who, with open minds, foresee this possibility. A local body exists to do the best it can for the public, and if it is shown that these interests require that it shall give way to another system, then it should accept extinction gracefully. The need at present is for an open mind and thorough inquiry.