PAYING FOR BENEFITS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1930, Page 8

PAYING FOR BENEFITS

As there appears to be some difficulty in securing a general amendment of the Town Planning Act betterment provisions, the Wellington City Council has prepared a Bill to apply special principles in Wellington. It would be better, if this were possible, to have the public Act amended, but if this cannot be done a local Bill is the next best procedure. It may lead, as other local legislation has led, to the general adoption of improved methods. The Council, however, does not seem to jbe agreed on principles. One member last night said he did not think he would approve of any Bill of the kind. He did not state his reasons, but there will be an opportunity for that later, when the Bill is considered in detail. On general principles betterment legislation is justified. An. objection has been raised that it is inexpedient that it should be adopted, as it may lead to demand for provision for "worsement"; but there is now such provision. If the Council undertakes a work which detrimentally affects property in the neighbourhood it is immediately faced with compensation claims, which are simply demands for "worsement" money. It is only just that the public authority should . be able to balance such claims.