LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29233, 17 June 1960, Page 9

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

“Strike-Out” Method

Supported

By 44 to 37, the Counties’ Association adopted a Waitemata remit that it be made mandatory for the Education Department to provide transport for school children where such travel was on busy highways on which no footpaths were provided. Legislation permitting local authorities to relegate, where necessary, the planting of trees on properties fronting country roads will be sought. The “strike out” method of voting at local elections was supported. The amendment to the Local Elections and Polls Act was proposed in remits from six counties.

Mr B. E. Reid (Wairarapa South) said the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Anderton) had “put the skids” under the proposal but the association should continue to press for a change. No delegate spoke against the proposal. An amendment to the Local Government Commission Act to provide at a poll for a “bare” majority of valid votes to upset a proposal was defeated. At present, not less than 60 per cent, of valid votes are required. The conference rejected a Waimairi remit for another amendment permitting a candidate to retire within 14 days of an election, provided a medical certificate on health reasons was submitted to the returning officer, or that the candidate was unaware at the time of nomination that his future would be affected if he contested the election.

Mr A. R. Blank (Waimairi) said that at the last election a man was nominated. He found that his employment would be affected if he contested the election but he could not retire. The same position would arise if a candidate suffered a stroke or became incapacitated by illness. The difficulty was that special votes were fairly numerous, said Mr J. S. Clendon (Internal Affairs Department), and all those votes would be invalid if a candidate retired.

“I would not like to see anything to encourage candidates to retire right up to election day,” said Mr Clendon, “because they might irresponsibly allow their names to go forward. I feel that we will have to meet the positions as they arise.”

Wrongly-Named Speaker.— Mr G. J. Williams (chairman of the Inangahua County Council) was wrongly attributed with making the statement, reported in “The Press” yesterday, that the Minister of Mines should step down and hand back the coal reserves. Mr R. Philp (chairman of the Buller council) yesterday explained to the Counties’ conference that he was the speaker and denied that his remarks suggested that the Minister should resign.