SINGLE CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 192, 15 August 1941, Page 5

SINGLE CONTROL

' PUBLIC SERVICES 1 METROPOI.IT \ X 80.4R0 J The opinion that local government , in Auckland would be much simpli-' .jfied and improved by the establishiment of a single metropolitan board to control all essentirl services, including those now con'rolled by ad hoc authorities, was expressed by • president of thcAuckland Suburban Local Bodies Association, Mr. 1. J. Goldstine, at a Mneeting last evening, when water supplies for Auckland were dis-i 'icussed. 1 j Mr. Goldstine said he referred ,|lo the following services: (a) Water I '■(bulk only, with local distribution -.and supply as at present); (b) main (as at present controlled 'by the Drainage Board); (c) trans>jport; (d) power and lighting; (e) milk. (f) hospital administration. Preferable to *»♦*#»»» [i Mr. Goldstine said it was his eon-j .sidered opinion that such a board ?as envisaged would iiave.

to control each and every one of the .services named, without exception. He considered that it was a form of 'administration which would be much .more preferable than amalgamation to solve Auckland local body problems, and he was convinced that a board system of iocaJ ?body administration was the ideal ,one for the Auckland metropolitan jarea, and one that would provide a • solution of the manv major problems confronting local body administration in Auckland to-dav. He appreciated the fact that it raised another .big question, and perhaps the pre--sent was not an opportune time, but ;as the matter of a waier boarrl had ('again been raised, he felt it was his iduty to refer to the .-'ubjea, in vinv .of his personal objection to ihe .establishment of additional ad hoc i authorities. Need for Research . Mr. Goldstine considered that the 1 metropolitan board scheme, first .jmooted in Auckland some years back, had much to commend it."with 'many advantages over the existing system of local government, but a good deal of research would be necessary before a practical scheme, satisfactory to all concerned, could !<« formulated. Probably, the essential preliminary steps could be taken bv the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association, but his opinion was that the Dominion's war effort should be the first consideration at the present time, and they should ••concentrate on it. rather than embark - on consideration of a subject which . involved so many ina.ior problems. . At a later stace he believed that the question could be taken up with • advantage to the area oon'roli'-d by • the Auckland local authorities.