Amalgamation

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 12

Amalgamation

Sir, —I am in full agreement with Sam Stewart regarding forced amalgamation. It is definitely an issue where the people should have a say, if indeed we do actually have a democracy in this country and have the choice to retain our councils as they are. Has the Government forgotten that it is, in fact, democratically elected to office to represent the people of New Zealand, electorate by electorate, not to dictate to us as one big conglomerate, taking the very rights away that it was put there to protect?—Yours, etc., V. T. KITCHEN. April 7, 1989. Sir,—Mr Brian Elwood is quoted (April 7) as saying that, because a majority of Christchurch city councillors voted in February to support Lyttelton and Mount Herbert in their exclusion from the new Christchurch City, the commission has changed its mind. It now pro-, poses a Peninsula District, with Lyttelton, Mount Herbert, Akaroa and Wairewa. What he seems to be saying to the residents of Wairewa, who have strongly opposed being left in a Peninsula District, is that their future has been decided by some Christchurch city councillors. It makes absolutely no sense to separate Lyttelton from Christchurch and even less sense to try and create three districts in place of two, Christchurch City and Selwyn. Wairewa has strong ties to the Lake Ellesmere catchment area and Lincoln services; its residents would seldom back-track to Akaroa and probably never go to Lyttelton. Finally for Mr Elwood to say there is no option to leave Wairewa out of the new Peninsula District, this can only be compared to turning the clock back 100 years, when a handful of ratepayers will destroy its viability. Is this not an admission that the proposal is unsound?— Yours, etc., E. W. TURRELL. April 8, 1989. Sir, — I heartily support the sentiments of Sam Stewart, (March 29) regarding forced amalgamation of local councils. This system has been tried in Britain and found to be a dismal failure. Increased centralisation brings about increased power, which brings about increased taxes and costs. I guarantee that our rates and costs will increase and our services will decrease — there is nothing surer. This is a critically important issue and the distasteful way the Government is pushing it through against the wishes of the people makes one suspicious of its intentions. This issue must be put to a people’s referendum so democracy can be seen. — Yours, etc., ANTHONY BECKETT. April 8, 1989.