LABELLING COUNTY TRUCKS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 14657, 28 April 1948, Page 2

LABELLING COUNTY TRUCKS

NOTICE OF MOTION

DEFEATED

Majority Decision Of

Council

"Last Surviving Examples Of True Democracy"

A notice "of motion that the decision of the February me«tineof the Tauranga County Council regarding- petrol consumption and names on trucks, be reconsidered put forward by Cr W. I. Rushton at the monthly meeting of the council, was defeated by voter; *o two. ' a The decision reached by the council at its February meeting was that a monthly check on petrol consumption be carried out wherever possible, and further that all trucks except the two light trucks used by the County Overseer and surveyors, not marked with the council's name be marked on both doors. ' In moving the notice of motion Cr Rushton told the council that it was done entirely at the instruction of the ratepayers of the Waimapu riding. It was the result of a unanimous decision of a meeting of ratepayers, and at a meeting at Te Puna a similar resolution was carried unanimously. In moving the notice of motion, he added, it was one of the duties he had to do that was not pleasant. Cr Rushton stated that as farmers were restricted in the use of benzine, it was not right for them to see county trucks running about at random during weekends. He had moved a resolution at a previcus meeting of the council and to- his surprise had not received'the support he had anticipated. The council • had agreed that two trucks should not be painted. , Queries From Ratepayers As a result of that decision he had been asked by ratepayers what was the reason ior the two trucks not being painted. One ratepayer had stated that he would write to the Press on the question and, added Cr Rushton, "I thought the chairman would answer it." No answer to the letter appeared and so Cr A. Henderson and himself wrote an answer which was published in the Press.' "I do not blame the ratepayers for taking up that attitude," stated Cr Rushton. There was, he added, a principle involved. If two trucks were to go unpainted then he would vote for all the county vehicles to be unpainted. Let all the vehicles go out at random and let there be rafferty rules concerning vehicle control. Cr Rushton stated that the council's executive officers should set an example, and he hoped there had never been any need for either of the two officers to use a county vehicle outside county business. He had learned from other counties that never were county vehicles used for other than county business. He would move later that all vehicles should be marked with either "T.C.C." or "'Tauranga County Council" on their doors. The notice of motion was seconded by Cr Henderson. The County Chairman (Mr H. B. Capamagian) pointed out that in a resolution passed unanimously by the counejl it was agreed to examine the petrol position. He had no recollection of Cr Rushton saying that he had specifically seen anyone using county vehicles at weekends. Cr Rushton had stated that he had been questioned by ratepayers about the council's decision. It was, contended the chairman, Cr Rushton's duty to tell those ratepayers that it was a majority decision of the council. He asked if Councillor Rushton had done so. . Cr Rushtcn: Yes.

"Local bodies," added the chairman, "are the last surviving examples of true democracy. It is expected that the minority will follow the majority decision." The chairman stated that he did not blame the ratepayers. They should know the position and it was right and proper that councillors should always tell them the correct position. If Cr Rushton knew, and could support definitely, a case of a county vehicle being used at weekends then he should bring it to the council table. So far he had not done so. A statement that he had supported county trucks being labelled, but the proposal had been lost at a previous meeting and therefore he would be voting against the notice of motion, was made by Cr E. n. Western. Opposition To Motion Cr W. F. McClinchie pointed out that it had been a recognised policy of local bodies that the engineers car not be marked. ■ ;. .. -. Cr A. E. Spratt pointed out that the council's executive officers did a lot of work at weekends and ns was against the labelling of tne County Engineer's car. "When a question is settled at tne council table it is finished and done with and I am against the notice of motion," stated Cr A. C. Wright. The opinion that the question had get out of all proportion m imnortance, was voiced by Cr u. D. Vercoe. If the council reversed its previous decision, ne added, it would be more or less chewing that they did not nave confidence in the executive officers. The council had, at tnai jneeting, passed a vote of confidence in its executive officers. Cr B. W. Robertson: I do not alter my decision. . ''. Cr Rushton stated that this que tion never arose in the ,pr evl ° u f council when the then engineer ana clerk each had private cars. was, he said, very reluctant to nave to bring the question bexore.tne council, but the ratepayers snouio have their say. ' n . He would venture to say, con tinued Cr Rushton, that if ai meet ing of ratepayers were called aj Katikati and Cr Henderson ana himself were invited to put a i<* case to the ratepayers, tnen p heV would get a 9C per cent vote, iney were responsible to the ratepayers and the ratepayers looked la j» to carry out their wishes. All u county vehicles should be maikea, he contended. a The chairman: Do you cons der majority should rule the councu Cr Rushton: Yes Rus hton, The ratepayers, adued Cr , K^ tion intended, if the notice J»fl failed, to take action compelling local bodies to label an vehicles. ~ t there Cr Spratt pointed out that.u were other ridings in in- &M and the ratepayers in nis . were quite happy about tne v tion. , „„ n +;n2 the When put to the meeting notice of motion was lost iy votes to two. _ , mo tion Support for tne put forward by the Waunapu n members was voiced by the 01 f branch of Federated *£rm fhe New Zealand in a letter council. It was agreed." {0 council to extend an mvi J ted the branch to attend he >£% b 3 meeting of county jatepayg dfii called by the County Chain*