CITY CONTROL

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 121, 19 November 1934, Page 11

CITY CONTROL

INQUIRY ASKED FOR

CHRISTCHURCH ACTION

It is reported that .vitally important decisions boariug on the administration of Christchurch were made at a meeting of loading business men and citizens last week, states tho Christchurch ''Press.'' Tho meeting was held in the greatest secrecy, but rumours regarding the business conducted and tho decisions, arrived at are being .circulated in Christchurch.

Ono of the consequences of tho meeting,- it is stated on good authority, is that.those connected with the movement have petitioned several members of the Cabinet asking that a full public inquiry be made into tho. administration of the city and that tho finances of the Christchurch City Council be subjected to a detailed audit by an outside' auditor appointed by the Government. It is stated that with tho petition the petitioners' have presented to Cabinet Ministers a mass of detailed evidence about city affairs which, the petitioners ■ claim, fully justifies their urgent request for an inquiry. This evidence is said to .include many sworn statements by' city men, and tho petition is stated to have been signed by many, responsible business people who are not connected in any way with local politics. ' The meeting was attended by a gathering which filled the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce hall. It is stated that many speakers- made outspoken comment, about tho, city's administration under tho present eouucil, and that the meeting decided that steps should be taken to endeavour to securo a complete change in the present control of tho council. This decision, it was stated, would probably involve the formation of a new party, the candidates of which would not iaclude any of the members of. the present council.

It was also stated that at the mooting definite charges of maladministration were made against the council and that the meeting, while representative of several political parties, was practically unanimous in the decision that steps should bo taken immediately to havo civic affairs fully inquired into. It is said that the ' allegations -made against the council included one of the misuse of tho City Council motor-cars. The closest secrecy was observed at tho meeting, which was open only to invited guests'. The newspapers were not asked to be represented, but it is understood that it was decided to make a public statement shortly about tho action which . has been' taken. ,