Conference Told Of Urban Renewal Difficulties

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31923, 26 February 1969, Page 21

Conference Told Of Urban Renewal Difficulties

f | meat, and it is only a matter J of time until this is, in fact, I accomplished.” ! | Mr Pushman said that one » of the greatest failings of • local body government was , parochialism and its attend- ’ ant pressure groups with ;) “insular and myopic outlook.” Ij “The remedy may be re- ■ gional authorities, in order , to provide the staff and resources necessary to plan and execute major works and services.”

Existing methods of financing local authorities did not allow scope; for acquiring properties and providing suitable sites for urban renewal,) said Mr S. P. Pushman,) president of the Royal) Society for the Promotion of Health, at the society’s annual confer-) ence yesterday.

Mr Pushman said financing methods were due for revi-

The society has 499 members in all parts of New Zealand, and its conference is being attended by many local body and Health Department officers from the Christchurch area.

“Rates are struck for the maintenance of existing services,” he said, “and loans at low rates of interest are difficult to obtain even if they are sanctioned.

Mental Needs It was officially opened yesterday by the Minister of

“This system has led to successive councils going cap-in-hand to central Government for assistance and has a stutifying effect on local government.”

Health (Mr McKay) who told the conference that although there had been a rapid increase in knowledge of the physical needs of the developing young, perhaps not

Mr Pushman said no effectNe steps had been taken to prevent urban sprawl, and New Zealand seemed intent on repeating the mistakes evi- . dent in older lands. “We know,” he said, “that rural land on the fringe of) urban development changes I ownership at an inflated value! solely for the purpose of get-: ting it rezoned and sub-' divided as a lucrative invest-

- enough attention had been > paid to their mental needs. I Mr McKay said education was t one of the most powerful - weapons in the fight to raise health standards. Mr J. I. Ashforth was ! elected president yesterday to succeed Mr Pushman. Other officers elected were: Vice-presidents. Messrs T. M. Houston, R. R. Harcourt, J. A. Campbell and S. P.

Pushman; executive, Drs W. I Glass, J. M. Brownlie, P. P Allingham, Messrs D. J. Waite E. Grylls, E. L. G. Clist W. E. Watters and A. P. Mill thorpe; secretary treasurer Mr J. O’Driscoll; assistam secretary. Mr C. J. Dale: jour

I. nal editor, Dr W. I. Glass; P. associate editor, Mr C. J. e, Dale. it, The photograph shows Mr il. McKay being greeted at the door of the Museum Hall by r ’ Mr Pushman. Behind them is Mr O'Driscoll, and at r- right is Mr Milltborpe.