ZONES WORK WELL

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30279, 4 November 1963, Page 14

ZONES WORK WELL

Representation In Brisbane (N.Z. Press Association/ WELLINGTON. Nov. 3. City Council administration by representatives elected by zones works well in Brisbane, says its Labour Deputy Mayor, Mr R. N. L. Buchan. It has the advantage that people can appeal directly to their own member, just as in central government. One of 28 members of a Labour majority council, Mr Buchan says the zoning system has been in force since 1925. Each aiderman represents one zone and fights zealously for the interests of his particular electorate. How does this affect the over-all interests of the city? “It doesn’t retard it one bit," he said. The zones for Greater Brisbane, which embraces 375 square miles and about 860.000 people, are the same as those for the Government candidates and the system works just as well for the municipality as for the State. Mr Buchan is a member of a special rating inquiry committee set up to find another source at revenue, a need which he says has been stressed to the Government for 30 years without success. “Rates are fast getting to saturation point where people haven’t the capacity to pay,” he said.

With his wife and a group of Queensland civic leaders, Mr Buchan arrived in Welling yesterday on the inaugural flight of T.E.A.L.’s direct Brisbane-Wellington service. He brought with him greetings from Brisbane's Lord Mayor which will be formally presented when the Mayor of Wellington entertains the men and their wives tomorrow.