Electoral Reform Talks Requested

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30916, 24 November 1965, Page 22

Electoral Reform Talks Requested

The Christchurch Drainage Board will approach the Christchurch City Council to see if it is prepared to reopen discussions on suggestions for electoral reform made by the board in April, 1962, and discussed with council representatives in 1963.

A special electoral reform subcommittee urged the board last evening to pursue its proposals. The board wants the city divided into four wards with five councillors elected from each ward.

It also wants the Transport Board and Drainage Board wards to be revised to coincide with the city wards, with two members being elected for each of those two bodies from each city ward.

The board wants sub-district boundaries of the Transport Board and the Drainage Board adjusted within the counties, preferably on a riding basis, to permit the use of county rolls.

Once the City Council’s agreement has been given, the

board will approach other local authorities. The Drainage Board’s next election will be on the first Saturday of October, 1967. Legislation to cover any changes would have to be introduced early next year, said l the secretary (Mr T. A. Tucker). AGAINST WARDS Mr E. C. Leach asked that his vote be recorded against the proposal, after Mr R. H. Stillwell had told the meeting that the Labour Party was “dead against” the ward system. “As far as the Labour members of the City Council are

concerned the answer will be no,” said Mr Stillwell. “We are dead against the ward system. It was tried in 1918-19 and there was the lowest poll in the history of Christchurch.” Mr Stillwell said he believed that, with the Drainage Board poll dwindling almost to nothing, the only answer was for the board to amalgamate with the Christchurch City Council. “It seems regrettable to say this after the fine work this board has done,” said Mr Stillwell, “but with the last poll at 5 per cent it’s getting down to that.” Mr D. P. McLellan said he could recall Labour members of the board speaking in favour of the ward system, and the only conclusion he could draw was that the Labour Party would be taking further disciplinary action against certain members. “Amalgamation is a thing of the past,” he said. “The only possibility is a two-tier authority.” Mr Leach said he supported Mr Stillwell. The Labour members were not strictly tied down, although they were meant to be and the ward system had been thoroughly discussed by the Labour Party and thrown out. Mr J. K. Dobson said the proposal was a matter of local affairs and should be considered in that light .not in the light of the Labour Party’s policy or any other policy.