Heathcote is against merger with city

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32774, 26 November 1971, Page 10

Heathcote is against merger with city

The Heathcote County is opposed to amalgamation with the city. This view was given by die chairman (Mr E. L. Tyndall) at a meeting of the county council last evening.

In general discussion, it was said that the Local Government Commission had ignored Heathcote’s proposal for a merger with the Banks Peninsula counties.

“As an election issue three years ago, the ratepayers voiced their objection to amalgamation in no uncertain manner. There is no e\ dence of any change in this attitude over the intervening three years,” said Mr Tyndall.

“Although the commission is insistent on the points, this council is not convinced that greater efficiency and economic advantages would result from the implementation of the scheme. This council takes pride in the efficiency of its service to the ratepayers and if holding the rates for the last five years does not spell sound economics I don’t know what does.

“Under the commission’s scheme the word ‘local’ would disappear completely from local government in this area.

“In the administration of a city of the size envisaged there are dangers of inherent and distasteful bureaucracy. The likelihood of uneconomic empire building becomes very much evident.

“If and when the ratepayers may decide to agree to join the city, the council would not oppose the move.”

“It has been established that this council is not opposed to amalgamation other than with the city,” said Cr W. N. Rathbun. OWN PROPOSAL

“It is fair to say that this council put a proposal to the commisison for the amalgamation of Heathcote and the Peninsula counties.

“We made a constructive study, and our proposal is a far better one than that now made by the commission.” Cr J. Somers said the statement by Mr Tyndall would be the view of the majority of county ratepayers. “The commission is the only body enthusiastic about this proposal,” said Cr J. S. Scott. TO COMMITTEE The council agreed to refer the commissions proposals to its finance committee.

Cr R. H. T. Thompson said he thought the council should “chew this over thoroughly.” He regretted that the commission had not followed Heathcote’s proposal for a larger peninsula county. “It would be very difficult for the commission to show the weakness of our proposal,” he said. “Our move has been effectively checked, and the commisison can chalk up the fact that it has blocked the move to amalgamation that this council suggested.”