Changes In Members’ Contracts Law Planned

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30043, 30 January 1963, Page 13

Changes In Members’ Contracts Law Planned

There is a need for clarification of toe law about toe position of candidates for local body office who have entered into contracts with their local authority before their election to office, says the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz). Mr Gotz was replying to a correspondent of “The Press” who wrote inquiring about local body elections. In his letter, the correspondent. “Ratepayer,” said: “In the recent local body

elections, a Mr Pearce and a Mr Soutoon were candidates for local body positions at Auckland and Reefton respectively. “After the elections both were disqualified under toe provisions of toe Local Bodies (Members’ Contracts) Act, 1954. “I understand legislation is to be passed (to act retrospectively) to enable Mr Pearce to hold his seat. “On the other hand Mr Soutoon, who topped the poll for his seat, was declared incapable of taking his seat and was notified toe day before nominations dosed for toe necessary by-election that he was disqualified from standing again until the next triennial election. Why the discrimination?” In his reply, Mr Gotz said that no legislation bad been passed, or was contemplated, to enable Mr Pearce to retain his seat on toe Auckland City Council. Because he considers it evident that clarification of the law is needed, Mr Gotz says it is his intention to promote an amendment to the Local Authorities (Members' Contracts) Act, 1954, for this purpose as soon as possible but this legislation would not be in any way retrospective in its effect.