RESIDENTS’ POLICY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28907, 29 May 1959, Page 13

RESIDENTS’ POLICY

No Candidates For Election

Residents’ Affiliated reaffirmed its policy of not contesting municipal elections at its general meeting of delegates last evening. This was decided on a motion by Mr B. H. Paton after considerable discussion which arose from the Sydenham Residents’ Association declining an approach by a political body. The Sydenham association resolved that the only action it would ever take in local body elections would be under its own policy, said Mr F. I. Leigh. “We are hoping that that resolution will be thought over by other associations and like resolutions will be made by them.” he said.

“This organisation should not contest seats on the local council. That would be a fatal mistake.” said Mr Paton. If the body contested seats in local body elections it would cease to function as a residents’ association and would also find it very difficult to revert to its original form after becoming a political body. The Sydenham residents did not want to put up a candidate in a local body election in the immediate future, said Mr E. J. Corbett. “At the moment we are not interested in putting up a political candidate We could not afford it.” he said.

No reply had been received to the letter from Residents’ Affiliated expressing concern to the Christchurch Drainage Board on the possibility of equipment being lent to the Auckland Drainage Board, said Mr Palmer.

He had heard that if equipment was lent to Auckland it would not prejudice work done in Christchurch areas affecting the residents’ association, said the chairman (Mr A. Dryburgh).

“I think we had better wait to find out what the Drainage Board has to say,” he said.