‘Real issue is representation’

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32773, 25 November 1971, Page 1

‘Real issue is representation’

Finance was a rela- < tively trivial matter J when local body amal- ’ gamation was con-, sidered, Mr B. H. i Easton, a lecturer in 1 economics at the Univer-! sity of Canterbury, said ; 1 yesterday when discussing the Local Govern- . ment Coinmission’s ; scheme for North Canterbury. One side could argue that amalgamation would result in ■ savings from efficient administration and that residents [ would contribute a fairer r share to urban amenity, he I said. The other could argue i that rates would be kept I down by separation, even if I that involved outer city resi- ; dents being subsidised by > inner city residents. r The real issue of amalga--5 mation was that of ) public representation in 1 urban affairs, he said. > “While it may be true that 5 some of the surrounding

counties and boroughs have lower rates, careful analysis suggests that the situation is more complex. The most recently available financial accounts are for 1969-70 and show, for instance, that while the city ratepayer would have paid about $64 council rates on a $lO,OOO house, a ratepayer in a similar house in the Heathcote county would have paid only $56. "Although future levels of rates if amalgamation does not take place are unpredictable. the current pattern is likely to continue,” said Mr Easton.

“But the rates are spent in different ways. Consider expenditure by the two councils on recreation, cultural, educational, and charitable : activities, the area which : many people would argue will be one of the main growth ; points in local body activities in the future. The table gives per capita expediture on vari- : ous amenities by the two t authorities. “It shows that while spehd- ; ing by both is small, City ; Council expenditure is very

much larger than that of Heathcote, even though Heathcote residents use, without paying, such city facilities as the McDougall Art Gallery, the Civic Orchestra, the reference service of the Public Library, and the city parks and reserves. “Indeed if Heathcote spent relatively as much on amenities as the city, Heathcote rates would be much higher

than the city rates. Analysis of the other areas of council expenditure would confirm this pattern. Where there are grave disparities before amalgamation, special arrangements can be made for the relief. “Throughout the city the development of non-political ward associations must be given high priority. On major issues such as the road through Hagley Park, the location of sports and cultural facilities, and the city plan, it is only with a local body covering the entire urban area that truly representative decisions will be made," said Mr Easton. IM9-70 per capita expenditure on amenities (cents)

City Heathcote Parks and reserves 186 108 Other sport 21 1 Libraries 126 VS Art galleries 15 0 Music 9 0 Educational activities 3 vs Town Hall, Mona Vale, etc. 50 36 Grants and donations 4 3 413 149 - vs: very small, less than Jc.