LOCAL BODY STRUCTURE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 15

LOCAL BODY STRUCTURE

Riccarton’s

Views

"The veto clause in the report of the Parliamentary Local Bills Committee on the inquiry in’o the structure of local government is not only sweeping but unjust.” This is said in a letter sent to every National Party member of Parliament by the Riccarton Borough Council. Its adoption would mean that exceptionally small minorities would be permitted by the law of NewZealand to override powerful majorities, the letter says. The letter says that, in relaticn to ama’eamation polls, the Local Bills Committee recommended that poll provisions be amended to provide for the issue to be determined by a bare majority where more than 80 per cent, of the electors on the roll exercise their vote. Where the poll is 30 per cent, or less of the electors on the roll, not less than 46 per cent, of the electors on the roll mur vote against the proposals to prevent it proceeding “If a ccostitution for New Zealand were adopted." save the letter, "it would no doub' contain a provision that each oualified person would be allowed to vote on issues of national or local importance and that his vote would carry the same weight as his neighbour's. and that the determination of the issue would be by a majority decision of those voting—not of those entitled to vote. This would be in accordance wi'h welles’ablished democratic prin-

The ’etter also says that the council e-mriders ‘hat it is rot reees»arv for the e rt ”’m!«-s-'on to have “•e right tn in’tia’e nrnceed’vgs on its evs mo’mn. The fact tha* t’-e M’nistec of In‘em>' affairs has the right "ftould te enough