LOCAL BODY MERGER

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 300, 15 September 1936, Page 5

LOCAL BODY MERGER

“Ratepayers Should Have Voice” “It looks as though the Government bus made up its mind and has no intention ot giving the people of this town an opportunity to expre-.s their views on the proposal.” said Cr. D. M. Dickson at last night's meeting of the Petone Borough Council when the question of amiilgamation of local bodies was raised. Mr. Dickson moved that the council forward a letter to the Hon. W. Nash, M.P. for the district, requesting him to make strong representations to the Government that provision be made iu any proposed local body legislation to ensue* to the people of Petone their inherent right to vote on the question of the amalgamation of Petone with other Hutt Vailey local bodied. Cr. J. Cumming who seconded the motion. said that the ratepayers had a perfect right to decide the question for. themselves. , ' ' i The Mayor. Mr. A. Scholefield, said he agreed that there was a principle involved, quite apart from any views councillors might have on the general issue. The people were' entitled to voice their opinion. Crs. E. T. E. Hogg and J. R. Raynor also spoke in support of the motion, which was carried unanimously.