TOWN PLANNING.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20828, 11 April 1933, Page 10

TOWN PLANNING.

RESIGNATION OF MR J. W. MAWSON. COMMENT BY " BOAR|> AND COL'NCIL." "In referring to the office of Director for Town Planning as 'an expensive luxury' under present conditions, the Minister for Internal Affairs put in a nutshell the popular feeling that has proved an initial obstacle to planning progress —dictated by popular misconception of the real purpose of a movement designed to apply -common sense methods to public administration," states the "Board and Council," the New Zealand local authorities' review, in referring to the decision of the Government to accept the resignation of the Director for Town Planning (Mr J. W. Mawson). "On all sides are heard vague suggestions for reform, but a plan that promises a definite measure of reform finds comparatively little support. The fact that in the face of the 'expensive luxury' complex with which he has had generally to contend, even in Ministerial circles, Mr Mawson has been able to set a well-defined lead in planning matters is no small tribute to his energy and ability. Hindered by inadequate legislation and surrounded by a very general disinclination toward co-operation, he has yet happily been able to assist some districts to the point where planning schemes have definitely taken shape. "It is perhaps a corollary that where planning has received most attention and made most progress the departure of the director has occasioned pronounced expressions of regret. The Timaru Borough Council by resolution conveyed to the Minister for internal Affairs the hope that Mr Mawson's services would be retained, 'and so prevent any interruption in the thoughtful scheme of town planning which has been carried so far by the present director.' The recently-completed town planning scheme for Timaru would never have reached fruition, in the expressed opinion of the borough council, had it not been for the assistance and ability of Mr Mawson. It may be noted that the Timaru council is opposed to any suggestion that the appointment of a Director for Town Planning is a needless extravagance."