M.P. Gives Conditions For Meeting

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30809, 22 July 1965, Page 18

M.P. Gives Conditions For Meeting

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, July 21. Mr H. J. Walker (Govt., St. Albans) is prepared to meet representatives of outer local bodies in the Christchurch area to discuss the incidence of rating in the greater Christchurch area and other matters —but not during the present Parliamentary session.

He has said this in a letter to the Clerk of the- Waimairi County (Mr K. M. MacLachlan). He has also laid down the terms under which he is prepared to meet the local bodies. Mr Walker’s letter reads: “Thank you for your further letter of July 19 concerning your invitation to meet representatives of outer local bodies. “I confirm that 1 am pleased to accept the invitation, but because of the pressure of Parliamentary duties during the session I am not prepared to alter my original date. “Further, in the light of subsequent public statements by members of your council and others, mv attendance will be on the following terms: “That there is an independent chairman mutually agreed upon. v "That, the Labour member of Parliament. Mr R. M. Macfarlane, who supported my comments in the House, be invited to atend. “That the meeting will be open to the press. “That the matters to be discussed be confined to those raised by Mr Macfarlane and myself in the House, and not what certain of your members and others apparently thought

we said. “That both sides shall have equal speaking time and that I be given the right of reply.

“That from even date all letters addressed to me by your council or viceversa will be available to the press.

uy yuur uuuuuii vi versa will be available to the press. “1 will be pleased to receive your confirmation in due course.” Speaking in the Budget debate, on June 16, Mr Walker said in the interests of Christchurch as a developing community, the suburbs of Cashmere, Bryndwr. Fendalton. Riccarton, and the environs of the airport should be asked to pay rates to the Christchurch City Council. He claimed the incidence

“1 will be pleased to receive your confirmation in due course.”

of rating fell unfairly on the comparatively small number of people living closer to the centre of the city area. In his Budget debate speech, Mr Macfarlane said on June 23 that J’from what has been heard since, the honourable member has learned that, as far as Christchurch local bodies are concerned, amalgamation is a dirty word." Subsequently. Mr Walker said he was quite prepared to meet local bodies on the issue at a convenient time, which would be after the conclusion of the present session.