DREAM AMALGAMATION

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 24

DREAM AMALGAMATION

NORTH SHORE'S IDEALISM. FACTS AND FIGURES FIRST. DECISION OF CONFERENCE. The question of the amalgamation of the four boroughs on the North Shore was revived last evening at a meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce at the instance of Takapuna Borough Council. Mr. J. W. Williamson, Mayor of Takapuna, presided. After lengthy discussion the conference of delegates from the boroughs adjourned to secure facts and figures from the councils concerned. Expressing the opinion that any discussion on complete amalgamation was premature, Mr. Williamson said that the matter was continually cropping up, and he thought that the present discussion might clear the air. He suggested the complete examination of all the factors in the problem first.

In this point of view he was supported by Mr. E. Aldridge, Mayor of Devonport, who presented an analysed summary of all statistical, financial, political and practical details required before the matter could be reasonably discussed. "I have attended these conferences before," he said, "and the only reasons adduced for amalgamation are the facts that we live on the same side of the harbour and drink water out of the same lake. Let us frankly set down the probable financial and practical benefits or detriments of the proposition, and we shall be acting like reasonable men." Expounding his request for the facts of the case, Mr. Aldridge said it was essential not only to schedule all assets, both natural and artificial, but also to prepare some coherent scheme as a basis for discussion. There should be outlined the proposed method of amalgamation whether by tlie v absorption by the greater of the less, or on the basis of equality; other necessities were suggestions for civic centrality, which would include estimates for new municipal administration buildings. He asked the conference to eliminate any opinion that Avas not founded on fact.

Mr. J. Guiniven, of Takapuna, said that such details were unnecessary. What they had to discover was whether community of interest existed, so that they could combine their • administrative objectives. He believed that the time was ripe for amalgamation. "There is too much parochialism amongst us," hq said. "Devonport is the Newmarket of the North Shore, and if we are going to adopt the attitude suggested by its Mayor we will get nowhere." Mr. J. W. Williamson deprecated the utterances of platitudes. He suggested that the best basis for co-partnership would be in the consolidation of control of the major utilities of transport, water, drainage, refuse destruction and cemeteries. On all these essentials there undoubtedly existed community of interest, and a grand council representing all the boroughs might very well direct these matters, leaving domestic affairs to be managed as at present. Mr. A. E. Greenslade, Mayor of Northcote, thought the details asked for by Mr. Aldridge were quite unnecessary iu a preliminary investigation. He had always been in favour of amalgamation. There should first of all be created an ideal of a Greater North Shore, stretching from Albany to the Wade. They could then make a North Shore city, in which, he asserted, there would undoubtedly be more efficient and economical administration. He admitted that at the present time amalgamation would be inopportune for Northcote, and would certainly be defeated if it came to a poll on the question. He considered, however, that it would be advantageous if North Shore could speak with one voice before the Harbour Commission.

Mr. J. P. McPha.il, Mayor of Birkenhead, scouted the idea of any community of interest, outside the major essentials mentioned, by Mr. Williamson, between Birkenhead and Devonport, whose boundaries were thirteen miles distant. He also disagreed with Mr. Greenslade's suggestion for a Greater North Shore," as this would jeopardise the improvement of main roads by eliminating Main Highways Board grants. "The suggestion at the present is only a dream amalgamation," declared Mr. T. Walsh, Devonport. "We must come down from the clouds and get on to the ground of hard facts." It was improbable that there could be any economy in either the administrative or practical departments of any of the councils. He reviewed the past history of the North Shore from the time of its original government, and declared that the conditions which had progressively made for subdivision had not yet been rendered obsolete.

Replying to the discussion, Mr. Aldridge said that his original contentions had not been vitiated by any speaker. Facts and figures were the necessary preliminaries to an intelligent discussion. "I do not intend to be carried away on a bursting bubble of idealism which does not ally itself with the practical life of the people," he said. Three great factors must operate before amalgamation could succeed. These were radiation from a civic centre, contiguity of habitation, and community of interest. These all grew progressively. The geographical peculiarities of the North Shore were a natural obstacle to the realisation of the ideals of amalgamation. The construction of the projected harbour bridge would aid materially in solidifying the conditions preparatory to unity. Criticising some assertions of ability to undertake major works if amalgamated, Mr. Aldridge repudiated the suggestion, as the mere amalgamation would not increase by one penny the ratable capacity of the area. He defended his own attitude of inquiry as a desire to examine the proposition on business lines.. The conference then decided to adjourn, after passing a resolution that the Information requested by Mr. Aldridge should be forwarded to each borough council to secure the facts and figures for presentation to a future meeting.