Citizens 9 policy outlined

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33625, 29 August 1974, Page 14

Citizens 9 policy outlined

One of (he most difficult! problems a council had to face was the taking of a person’s land for, redevelopment, Cr H. G. Hay, Citizens’ Association candidate for the Christchurch mayoralty, 'told a Rotoract meeting! ‘last evening. Sooner or later, when taking over decaying or ageing areas of Christchurch for rebuilding, the City Council came up against “the person.’’ The rights of an individual had to be considered — many of the people living

! in areas chosen for re- ' development were elderly and had lived there most of , their lives. It was easier for [the council to acquire areas [of unused land and develop [them — but this could not always be done, Cr Hay said. Cr Hay was answering j questions from the floor after 'addressing the meeting. He said there was plenty of scope for increased housing close to places of work within Christchurch, and therefore he did not regard the Rolleston development as a soundly based proposal. Regional development would be better in other estab-

lished parts of the South island, such as Timaru and the West Coast, instead of creating what would become a dormitory suburb of Christchurch.

Cr Hay outlined the Citizens’ Association’s policy for youth, fhis included the possibility of a city centre for young teen-agers, and the establishment of a fund from which subsidies could be granted.to youth organisations for approved projects. The association proposed to revive a Christchurch Youth Council in co-operation with the youth officer of the Department of Internal Affairs, and to give strong attention to the accommodation needs of young people, purchasing suitable properties for rented flats for students and young families, under the surveillance of the City Council. [

A Citizens’ council would: give strong support to all sec-1 tions of the arts, Cr Hay said.[ It would continue to give financial ' support to the : Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Financial support would also be given to the! Christchurch Arts Festival, the Ferrymead Museum, and musical and theatrical organisations. Cathedral i Square would be made more of a centre for cultural activities, such as art dis-' plays, to make it a lively! place instead of the disgrace [ it was at times, with a lot of litter. A Citizens’ council would! ensure that the facilities for; staff and for staging exhibitions at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery were substantially improved, and encouragement would be given to the gallery’s activities, inclufing the taking of art displays to the suburbs, where practicable.

I A major aim of cultural policy was to encourage activities which benefited children, such as drama, music, and readings at public libraries. In the planning of the new public library, special attention would be given to facilities such as a small theatre to cater for children’s activities.

A Citizens’ council would ensure the maximum use of the Town Hall facilities by local organisations through a policy of reasonable rentals. It would also see financial assistance from the Government to ease the operating cost to ratepayers. The ratepayer had a lot to face up to, and the burden had become fairly severe, particularly for those on fixed incomes. “It should be part of Government policy to help with the cost of such amenities,” Cr Hay said.