COUNCIL REBUKED

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 13

COUNCIL REBUKED

BY PRIME MINISTER. SOCIAL SECURITY PLAN. GOVERIMEUT OOIIfO AHEAD. (From Our Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The question of the alignment of the new Social Security Building in Aotea Quay waa raised at a meeting of the Wellington City Council. It waa stated that the building would come within two feet of the footpath and that this would set building line in Aotea Quay for the life of the building, perhaps 40 years. The congestion that would be caused in this main arterial street by vehicles backing into buildings on the railway leases was also stressed. It was decided that the view* of the council should be placed before the Government. Mr. P. M. Butler characterised the council's hiove as obstructionist and another method to prevent the building being erected. Mr. K. MeKeen, M.P., agreed that the road should be wider and said the matter was one that went beyond local politics. He suggested that the council approach the Government on the matter, an<l added that he was convinced the Ministers did not know the councillors' views on (he subject. Referring to-day to the City Council's discussion, the. Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, said: '"I do not know very much about the building line, but I do know this, that the City Council seems anxious to find "out something that will stop us instead of trying to help us. I would Uke to remind everyone, including the City Council, that the social security scheme will be the biggest thing ever known to New Zealand and New Zealanders, and it is just as well realised that we are going straight ahead with the job and that we are going to allow no one to sabotage the movement."