PERMANENT REBUILDING

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1931, Page 8

PERMANENT REBUILDING

An advance towards permanent town-planning was announced yesterday in a Press Association telegram from Hastings, which stated that sixty Hastings property owners, after being addressed by the Director of Town-planning, decided to widen Heretaunga street by 10 feet. To find the angle of approach to a permanent reinstatement must have a moral importance, for no temporary building plan can command the enthusiasm that attaches to "building for keeps." Likewise, a moral value must attach to the statement of Mr. J. S. Barton, concerning Napier, that— It was definite that it would bo possible, in less than a month, to say where permanent rebuilding could start. It cannot be said that there has been insufficient lime lo consider all phases—including.the town-planning phase—and we can see no reason why the controlling powers should not, at least, start off on the right foot. The sharing of costs (clear-

ing and rebuilding) between private and public funds will have to proceed on some principle, but we cannot yel discern a principle in Mr. Barton's remark that "if the owners are unable lo clear, but look to the Slate to finance rebuilding, Ihe amount that the State is able lo give must be divided between clearing and rebuilding." If private liability is lo hinge on individual ability, who will be able? More clarity is needed here. _^_^__^____