POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 110, 3 February 1941, Page 9

POWERS OF LOCAL BODIES

Minister Speaks At Luncheon To the extent that the powers now enjoyed by local bodies were fully and conscientiously used to make adequate provision for the advancement of industry and the health, comfort and welfare of the people, be was wholeheartedly in favour of the present system, said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, when he proposed the toast of ‘‘The City of Lower Hutt” at the official luncheon in the Horticultural Hall. Mr. Parry said he was prepared to do everything he could to enlarge the powers of those local bodies which appreciated and lived up to their responsibilities. High in this category must be placed the Lower Hutt City Council, one of the most progressive councils in the Dominion today. Representatives of the Government, local bodies, early settlers, pioneer families, present and former administrators and many others to the number of more than 300 attended the luncheon.

Looking back over the years, said Mr. Parry, proposing the toast of the city, he could only express amazement at’the rapidity of progress made. In 1920 the population was 8000, today it was 20,100. That increase bad, of course, brought with it many problems, such as those of water supply, drainage, street access, fire protection. These problems had been accentuated by the extensive housing programme the Government had undertaken in Lower Hutt. A pleasing feature was the close co-operation between the Government and the municipal authority in these schemes. Successive councils had faced many problems as they arose, and the happy results were now apparent in looking around a well-laid-out and well serviced city. These results were made possible in this country because New Zealand, like all truly democratic countries, governed itself through a system of decentralization and delegation. In many matters which vitally concerned the social and economic welfare of the people, the municipal authorities enjoyed almost complete autonomy. In the light of past events all could look forward with more than confidence to the administration of local government affairs in the new City of Lower Hutt. Industrial Development. The industrial development in Lower Hutt over the past few years outstripped that of any other part of New Zealand, said the mayor, Mr. Andrews, replying to the toast. A quarter, of the industrial operatives of Wellington provincial area were in the Hutt Valley, and two-thirds of these in Lower Hutt. One factory that employed 400 up to comparatively recently now had 800 hands, and the railway workshops had a regular staff of 2100. Many of the factories had switched over to important war production. With the co-operation of the council one firm had erected a model factory with a park for public use and another big concern was contemplating a model factory with two-thirds of the ground area set aside for playing and recreation grounds for the staff and public. Lower Hutt had provided for all types of industrial development into properlyzoned area: Mr. E. L. Riddiford, a son of one or the first settlers of Lower Hutt, proposed the toast of “Past Administrators.” He said these men had all done their job and put their heart and soul into making the Hutt what it was today He recalled Mr. AV. G. Foster, first mayor, Mr. Thomas Waugh, an early councillor, Mr. E. P. Bunny, and Mr. W. T. Strand, The Hutt Spirit. The Hutt Valley was known and recognized for the wonderful spirit of its people, said Mr. Strand, in reply. Some of’the finest early settlers of Taranaki, Wairarapa and other places had been brought up in the Hutt. Proposing the toast of “Kindred Local Bodies and the Association of New Zealand,” Cr. E. P. Hay said that every political party ’which came into power made a point of local body reform. It was always thought there were too many local bodies. Yet those schemes faded away. He suggested the reason was that, while looking at the position as a whole there appeared a need to reduce local bodies, when thp situation was examined in a particular locality, the need was not so great. The basis of democracy was local government, said the mayor of Wellington, Mr. Hislop, in reply. It was of vital importance that the functions and privileges of local government be jealously guarded. He regarded the Municipal Association as a junior partner in the business of government, said Mr. T. Jordan, its president, who was associated in the reply to the toast. The association was useful and could be made more so. He thought local bodies could be given wider powers with perfect safety. He believed that the rationalization of local bodies could be effected without compulsion as the facts of the position were so obvious.

Mr. T. Waugh, one of the oldest of the former councillors of Lower Hutt, proposed the toast of “Parliament.” Parliament, and the meaning behind it, were at stake in the present war. said the .Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash, in responding to the toast. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, the Minister of Finance, Mr. Nash (member for the district), Mr. Combs, M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, which includes part of Lower Hutt, the mayors of Wellington. Palmerston North. Featherston, ketone, Eastbourne, Masterton. Upper Hutt, the chairman of the Hutt County Council, Mr. S. Blackley, and representatives of other local bodies were present at the day’s celebrations.