"CONFOUNDED POLITICS"

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 August 1930, Page 5

"CONFOUNDED POLITICS"

TRANSPORT BOARD.

METHOD OP ELECTION. PRESENT SYSTEM DEFENDED. "I have absolutely no interest whatever in the political side. It is always these confounded politics which harm trading' concerns such as the board is. I would like to eay something very much stronger on the matter, but I won't," These remarks were made by Mr. J. A. C. Allum at this morning's meeting of the Auckland Transport Board, when the method of election of members was; discussed. A resolution favouring the present system was passed. In reporting to the board, the chairman (Mr. Allum) ..stated'that according to an' article in the Press Mr. G. C. Murine, M.P., had raised the question of the method of election. As no repre sentations in the matter had been made to the board he had written to all the Auckland members of Parliament and leaders of the various parties, and had also communicated with Mr. Munns.

The letter sent to the members of Parliament read as follows: "It is reported in the Press that Mr. G. C. Munns has raised the question of the method of election of the members of the Auckland Transport Board, and I desire to request that no action shall be taken until the board has had an opportunity v to express its opinion in the matter. The suggestion has not emanated from, nor have any representations been made to, the board. I beg leave to remind you that after hearing- lengthy evidence from all interested' parties the Transport Commission recommended the present method of electing members of the board to represent various areas. This recommendation was adopted by all the. local bodies in the board's district, approved by Parliament, and subsequently approved by a poll of the ratepayers. Since the board was formed two loan proposals have been submitted and approved by overwhelming majorities, which indicates that no disaffection exists." ■ ■ ■:, :■'■•: • In his letter to Mr. Munns Mr. Allum asked that no action be taken in the matter until the board had had the opportunity to exprese its opinion. The suggestion had not emanated from nor had" any representations been made .to tlio board. i "Unwise to Alter System." When the matter came before ; the board this morning Mr. E. Mortoiv moved that the report be received and that the chairman's action in communi--cating with the members of Parliament btvapproved; also that, a further letter be sent to Parliament-asking that the system of electing members be not. interfered with, because it ensures representation for each district and conforms with the Transport Commission's recomlhendatioris. The motion was seconded by Mr. M. I J. Coyle, who said that in the interest of the local bodies the system of election should remain ae at present. Although the personnel of the board might be changed at elections the outer di6tricts would still have representation.' .He thought that it Avould be unwise to alter the system. t ■ •■■ .■ * . .■ • " Mi , . E. H. Potter said that he , could not seo that there was anything to be afraid of, even if the Act was altered. The board, he thought, would.be foolish to oppose a change if it was suggested. There was no doubt in hie mind that an election for the whole of the area was the fairest system. Someone Behind Mr. Munns. Mr. A. J. Entrican strongly supported the- present system, and asked if the outside local bodies had suffered in any Way; The Government wae quite satisfied and did- not want the Act altered. Mr. Munne wanted it altered and the board knew who was supporting him. If the system was altered it would'lead to ill-feeling between the suburbs and the city. At the next ejection, .it the system was changed, there was bound to be a strong move by the local bodies to get more than four members on the board. The remarkable thing about the whole affair was that a member of Parliament should suggest an alteration in the Act before the first election had been held under it.

Mr. J. Wood: As a representative' of one of the outside bodies, I-want to support the present constitution of .the board. We recognise the city members' knowledge of the tramway system is.of great value to the outside members. The board to-day is working smoothly. Mr. L. E..Rhodes: I see no reason for any change. I don't remember one instance, except at the first.meeting, .when, the voting resolved itself into a question of city v. suburbs. The-board is going along well. '• . ; AH Districts Represented. After his ■ reference .to "confounded politics," Mr. Allum said that he. had been associated with the board almost from the time the city took over the tramways. It was realised then that the one weakness of the undertaking was -that'the board was running services in districts that were not represented. , Much of the success of the board was due to the fact that all the. districts. were now represented. He would regret anything that would mean that the whole of the board's ,district would not be directly represented. "I will not let this occasion pass without paying a tribute to the very efficient manner in which members have , conducted the business of the board. There has been no suggestion of feeling between districts," Mr. Allum added. . > I ■ ' • "' The motion was carried. \ ~ . . ;