Rushed legislation angers council

Press, 10 July 1979, Page 6

Rushed legislation angers council

“Rapid destruction of even the pretence of democracy” in New Zealand brought vehement —and unified—criticism from Waimairi County councillors last evening when told that they had been allowed seven days to prepare and forward submissions on proposed litter legislation.

The first draft of the Litter Bill, which contains several substantial changes to existing legislation, arrived at the cofinty offices on Friday—seven days (including a week-end) before all submissions have to be in Wellington. ‘

"This is an impossible and intolerable situation. I take strong exception to the complete abrogation of our rights,” said Cr I. G. Lyons, at the meeting of the council’s finance committee. “I am appalled that legislation is being rushed through this, wav.”

The County Chairman (Mr D. B. Rich) said there was no real possibility of considered submissions being made in such a short time. "I don’t know whether the politicians are trying to run the country without even the pretence of democracy, or whether the bureaucrats want to run the country without the involvement of the people, but the people are getting less and less chance for involvement,” he said. I “At least all draft bills do get sent to us, although often!

enough it’s during holidays when nothing can be done ior with a very short lead time before submissions [close. For the man in the [street it must be very much [worse.” said Mr Rich. [ “The people are being given no time to react to proposed legislation.” Without exception the councillors were first shocked and then angered by the implications highlighted by the short time for submissions on the Litter Bill.

The anger was intensified when their attention was drawn to the closing date for submissions on the local Government Amendment Bill. A very long and involved piece of proposed legislation, this bill is the final stage in combining two existing acts which themselves run into hundreds of clauses. The bill was introduced last Tuesday. Submissions must be in Wellington in less than four weeks.

The more pressing immediacy of the Litter Bill dominated the discussion, however, and the County Clerk (Mr J. Reid) told the committee that interpretations of

some new clauses in the bill were still being sought urgently. Until these are obtained the council cannot formulate submissions or even decide whether submissions are neclessary. If the council feels that submissions are necesIsary, they still have to be ! drawn up, approved by a hastily called meeting of at least some of the councillors and their advisers, run off in the required number of copies, and sent to Wellington — all by Friday. “It is becoming increasingly hard to act responsibly. We’re no longer consulted, but insulted,” said Cr Lyons. The committee decided to send “strongly worded” telegrams to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Highet) and all local members of Parliament, expressing dismay and disgust at the way in which the opportunity for submissions to be made on proposed legislation is being reduced, and requesting that the council’s displeasure be conveyed to the House. The issue will also be taken up with the Counties Association.