Planning council to attack pragmatism

Press, 18 March 1977, Page 1

Planning council to attack pragmatism

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

The Government has launched a co-ordinated attack on pragmatism by the creation of the New Zealand Planning Council. It is the second move made by the Government in this direction. The first was in the formation of the Commission for the Future. The two bodies will be complementary, and one will in no way impinge upon the other. This is an official view of the new body, which, it is understood, will deal with matters mainly economic, though its membership has a considerably wider base of experience. The intention is for the Planning Council to deal with matters which have virtually taken shape, and which could reach actuality within five years. The Commission for the Future will have a still longer viewpoint, and will

take trends and possibilities within its purview. The task force on economic and social planning, under the guidance of Sir Frank Holmes, favoured a future planning mechanism which would be both broadly-based and incisive, bringing economic, social, and regional considerations together in the planning process. The Planning Council would fill this role. However, these bodies are no more than advisory ones. The Government is no more obliged to follow their recommendations than the present and previous administrations have had to follow the advice of the Monetary and Economic Council. The Minister of National Development (Mr Gair) has emphasised the Government’s readiness to receive “bold initiatives and sound advice.” He has promised that the Government will be fully responsive, but

in all conscience he cannot do more, for the Government is the executive and implementing body.