AMALGAMATION FAVOURED

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25554, 23 July 1948, Page 10

AMALGAMATION FAVOURED

That the citizens of New Brighton had obtained great benefits from amalgamation with the city was an opinion expressed by Victor Lester, a barrister. Mr Lester served two three-year terms on the New Brighton Borough Council and went to the City Council when the borough was absorbed. “I feel that there is an identity of interest, and that, generally speaking, development of the metropolitan area is best advanced by the amalgamation of the local bodies serving the area.” he said. Mr Lester thought the average reason-ably-minded person accepted the view that the mere rate account was not a dominant factor. He looked for service and took the view that he was prepared to do the fair and proper thing. He considered that more New Brighton residents supported the principle of amalgamation now than at the time the poll was taken. From the time the city took over he had heard many tributes to the advantages and benefits received by the residents.

Elections in the borough were to some extent determined by the operations of land and building speculators,, whose primary concern was profit rather than civic good, Mr Lester said. New Brighton resi-

dents now, he thought, were as interested in the city elections as they were in local elections.

He could see no reason why the City Council would be unable to discharge its duty to new areas added to the city in as efficient a manner as it had done in New Brighton. Mr Lester agreed with Mr Perry that the borough had been crippled by debt at the time of amalgamation. It could be said that the burden had been passed to Christchurch citizens, he agreed. The commission adjourned until this morning when evidence on behalf of the City Council is expected to finish. Independent witnesses, and witnesses supporting petitions presented to the commission will be heard next Tuesday afternoon. They have been asked to communicate with Mr Stephens before they give their evidence.