Support For Minister

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32386, 27 August 1970, Page 1

Support For Minister

(From Our Own Reporter) - WELLINGTON, August 26. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said that he and his party were in complete support of the decision made by the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) on the Hagley Park road plan.

“We support wholeheartedly the Minister’s decision,” Mr Kirk said tonight “Any interference with Hagley Park or other public reserves as part of the motorway project can only be validated by act of Parliament. The production of a local bill is the obvious and legal way of doing this. “Dealing with it in this manner will not create any unreasonable delays, but will , adequately safeguard the' rights of the citizen—rights over which the council has ' shown clearly that it is quite prepared to ride roughshod. “Furthermore, the local bill gives the opportunity to those interested in the future of the city and the preservation of its open spaces to give evidence before an impartial body. I believe the Local Bills Committee of Parliament should go to Christchurch and hear evidence, thus making it possible for the voices of the bumble to be heard as clearly as the shouts of the rich.” Mr Kirk said that it was good for Christchurch that there should be such a strong

community of interest among local members in support of the cause of protecting the areas deeded to the people by earlier legislation. “In Accord” The decision of the Minister of Lands was in complete accord with the proposal of Labour members of the City Council, Cr N. G. Pickering said last evening. When the issue was considered by a special meeting of the council in April, the Labour councillors proposed that the council should promote a local bill. “Now the Mayor and the Citizens' Association councillors, with one exception, must be reflecting ruefully on their rejection of our proposal,” he said. “Had it been accepted it could well be that by now Parliament would have made a decision. “Along with my Labour colleagues I am delighted that this controversial matter will be decided by Parliament and I am confident that the decision will be accepted by all f?ir-minded people."