Labour’s Policy For Local Bodies

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30835, 21 August 1965, Page 16

Labour’s Policy For Local Bodies

With the aim of forming a metropolitan board of works, the Labour Party proposes as a first step legislation to facilitate the amalgamation of the Christchurch Drainage and Transport Boards with the City Council.

This is one of the major points in policies for the local body elections announced by the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee yesterday. Other planks for the City Council are:—

Reorganisation of council committees to provide greater efficiency in council administration.

A review of the master transport plan as it affects Hagley Park and the interests of residents. Modernisation of Cathedral square, but preserving the precincts of the Cathedral, “as opposed to the present scheme ”

A six-monthly clean-up week of the city. ■ Improved street lighting. Further facilities for youth activities.

Examination of the possibility of developing the Estuary to form an aquatic playground. Attraction of industry to the city by developing and making available leasehold land and factories.

Development of residential land for resale to prospective home-owners and the provision of more flats for rental. For the North Canterbury

Hospital Board, the party says that if elected it. will “explore every method to reduce waiting lists by endeavouring to bring more specialists into direct work at Christchurch public hospitals.” It would reorganise the casualty department so that patients were given immediate treatment.

Greater provision would be made to institutions for the care of aged persons requiring Continuous attention. The party promises that on the Lyttelton Harbour Board it will “vigorously pursue” the policy of full utilisation of Cashin quayIt will support modernisation of the inner harbour to meet the demands of road and rail transport. The possibility of reclamation by using dredging spoil will be investigated. The policy of non-rating for harbour development will be reaffirmed.