NAPIER COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 147, 17 March 1933, Page 12

NAPIER COMMISSION

Petition to Mr. Forbes Against Abolition

CITIZENS’ SATISFACTION ' Dominion Special Service. Napier, March 16. A petition is circulating in Napier urging the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to retain commissioner control for at least twelve months after the date of the municipal elections of May 3. A handbill accompanying the petition says: “To the citizens of Napier: You are urged to sign this petition, which asks that a special committee, or what is known as' the commission, that is, Mr. J. S. Barton and Mr. L. B. Campbell, or at least Mr. Barton, or, if Mr. Barton be not available, then some other commissioner be appointed by the GovernorGeneral and be retained in office as commissioner for at least twelve months from May 3, 1933.” In view of the definite pronouncement made by the Prime Minister a fortnight ago, the appearance of this petition is of no slight interest, especially In view of the time at which it makes its appearance. On March 3 the Prime Minister said: “In view of the fact that the Hawke’s Bay earthquake Act of 1931 provided for the elections of mayor and councillors for the borough of Napier to be held on the first Wednesday in May next, the Government proposes to issue an Order-in-Couneil under that Act terminating the operation of the special committee which has been administering affairs in the borough since its appointment immediately after the earthquake.This Order-in-Council will provide that the committee will cease to function as from the first Wednesday following the election of the new mayor in May.” In a subsequent letter to Mr. Barton, the Prime Minister said: “It must be a source of gratification to you and your colleague, as it is to the Government, that during your term of office the restoration and rehabilitation of the town has been so successfully carried out, and I am confident that this satisfactory condition of affairs is due, in no small measure, to the work performed by yourself and Mr. Campbell.” This petition is the outcome of several conferences between representative citizens of Napier, and it is theifi belief that the present move will be well received by the majority of electors. It is tacitly understood in professional and mercantile quarters that the continuance of commissioner govern nance should prove universally popular, especially in view of the sound fiscal situation, and the way in which the two commissioners have tackled the post-earthquake problem. In view of this fiscal situation, it is the desire of those responsible for the petition that such a control should continue till such time as its functioning may gradually be dissolved in favour of a local governing body. Whether the Prime Minister will heed the prayer of the petitioners, particularly in view of his previous statement, is a matter which may not now be determined, but it is understood that Mr. Forbes has agreed to give sympathetic consideration to the petition, provided it is the earnest wish of the majority.