Warning against court challenge riles Mayor

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 18

Warning against court challenge riles Mayor

By

SUZANNE KEEN

A Government warning against councils challenging amalgamation through the courts is dictatorship at its worst, says the Mayor of Riccarton, Mr Dick Harrington. He was concerned at comments made in Parliament by the Minister of Local Government, Dr Bassett, who said that if necessary legislation would be quickly enacted to fix any procedural or other omissions in the reform process. The Riccarton Borough Council confirmed that it would join a group of local authorities seeking legal advice about challenging the Local Government Commission in court. It will give $3OOO towards seeking the ad-

vice. Mr Harrington said that the "dictatorial attitude” of leaders such as Dr Bassett was difficult for councils to beat. “I would not be surprised if we are told soon that we are not even allowed to say these things. I am wondering just how far the Government is prepared to go to ensure that its reforms take place.” Mr Harrington said councils had been harassed since the Local Government Commission was appointed. He was heartened by the number of people still protesting against amalgamation. Mr Harrington said he was surprised Dr Bassett had the "audacity” to talk about the cost of a legal

challenge against the commission when this was nothing compared with the money spent by the Government trying to put reforms in place. Paparua County is unlikely to take part in any court challenge after a recommendation by its finance committee.

The County chairman, Mr Jack Pethig, said that the attempt to challenge the legality of the reform was a “waste of time and money.”

Dr Bassett had made it clear that any loopholes would be closed. Waimairi is the only other Christchurch council to have pledged money towards the first stage of a possible legal challenge. The Waimairi council-

lor who moved that his council give $3OOO towards the move, Cr Des King, said he was disappointed by the warning given by Dr Bassett. Although it made him all the more determined to fight amalgamation, Cr King thought it could scare off some councils. He also accused Dr Bassett of acting like a dictator. “He is making all sorts of threats and choking noises.” Cr King said a “secondary aspect” of taking the matter to court would be the forced delay of the amalgamation. “If we go to court then by the time the Government changes legislation they might be out on their ear.”