Ombudsman may retire next year

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 18

Ombudsman may retire next year

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, March 29. Sir Guy Powles, New Zealand’s first Ombudsman, may retire next year.

Sir Guy Powles said in New Plymouth today that he would probably suggest at the end of this Parliamentary term that someone else be found for the office he has held for eight years and a half.

“But then, you can’t really I predict your own retirement,” said Sir Guv Powles, who is 65.

Before retirement comes, however, he hopes to begin moves to streamline the

| functions of his office with j central bodies. He also said the OmbudsIman’s jurisdiction should, in | time, be extended to cover I ordinary local bodies. He predicts that the Ombudsman’s office is in | New Zealand to stay “and I want it built up orkfirm, solid foundations.”

I Sir Guy Powles, in defining the areas over which his oflice should hold jurisdiction, tises the criterion: “Does this particular authority have power to make orders or executive decisions which affect persons, or property of people?” Many complaints He faces a number of anomalies —such as being allowed jurisdiction over the National Parks Authority, but none over National Park Boards. A similar situation applies with the National Soil and Conservation Authority and local catchment boards. This is where Sir Guy Powles wants streamlining done. Last year, his office received about 50 per cent more complaints than in any other year. A high percentage of these complaints were outside his jurisdiction, he said

He holds reservations about his office covering local bodies. "If local bodies were brought under the jurisdiction of my office, it would mean a substantial addition to staff,” he said.

However, over a period of years, the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman should be widened to local bodies, but terms and conditions of the jurisdiction would have to include allowing the Ombudsman to investigate the actions of local body members, Sir Guy Powles said.

His present powers extended to hospital and education boards, but this was only where decisions had been made by board staff. If decisions were made by board members, he could do nothing. To function properly, the Ombudsman would have to be allowed to examine and criticise decisions of board and council members, said Sir Guy Powles.