SUBURBAN AIMS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1938, Page 6

SUBURBAN AIMS

MUTUAL INTERESTS

NEW BODY FORMED

TO REPRESENT ALL

Representatives of n number of thn suburban progressive nntl rlrdorr;' «»- sociations met In the Town Hull committee room last night undPi' the dmirmanship of Mr. G. P. Anrlernon, president of the Hnlailiii Munldpnl Elcetors' Association, to discuss n pi'opoant that a new body .should be formed to discuss matters of common Jnlci'cst to all associations itnd to the city m< n whole. Several speakers were of the opinion that such a body wjih necessary for they did not consider Unit the Wellington Ratepayers' Association represented the views of residents of the suburban districts.

The meeting, which wms purely of ,-i preliminary nature, decided that steps should be taken to proceed with the formation of a central organisation,

The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, at. tended by invitation.

Mr. Anderson said that the Hataitai Municipal Electors' Association thought that it was wise that an endeavour should be made to get some degree oC co-ordination between the different suburban associations, as distinct from the strictly city organisation, the Wellington Ratepayers' Association. The Hataitai Association thought that if a degree of co-ordina-tion could be obtained matters of mutual interest could be discussed.

■' Suburban associations, said Mr. Anderson, had felt rather sore when last year a number of loan proposals were put before the ratepayers a very strong manifesto was published by another, body. The great majority of the people of Wellington, the association felt, had j probably regarded that manifesto as having been issued on behalf of all the progressive associations and had accordingly given it greater weight than they would have done had they understood it to have been issued by one body. There had been no time to reply, and suburban associations did resent another body speaking on their behalf. If more loan proposals were to be put forward the association felt that they should have an opportunity of getting together and discussing what representations should be put forward to the people of Wellington. INTERESTS OF WHOLE CITY. Mr. Hislop said that though each district association naturally had its own aims there were certain broad issues which concerned the whole city and all districts. He was inclined to agree that had all associations joined in support of the last loan proposals" they would have carried greater weight than did the associations working independently. Several big issues were' ahead, one of the largest being that ofworks in connection with the Exhibition. The problem of the accommodation of visitors would be a big one, and joint consideration and action would be of value. All the associations were representative of parts of a singje city, and the pooling of ideas upon questions of common interest would' be of assistance to associations separately and the city as a whole. NON-PARTY ASSOCIATION. ■'~ Mr. Anderson said that for some time past there had been a feeling that .something pn the .lines of the_ former CMvic League should be revived:- It was.also felt that the Ratepayers' A'sso-' ciation did not represent the interests or the'views of the suburban associa-. tions. The Civic League, however, had been a party organisation, but the district associations were strictly nonparty, and it was therefore necessary, he thought, to develop along its own lines. . Mr. R. R.i.Hayman, representing the Melrose Association, commended the idea, and spoke of the assistance the associations could give in connection with loan proposals and a-.wide range of questions of common interest. Elsewhere similar organisations had proved of value. Mr. B. Barrington (Khandallah) said that he did not think that-decisions could be made until the proposals had been reported back to the several associations.. , Mr. E. A. BaggeU (Brooklyn) said that if an association was to be formed it would have to-be an energetic one, with fixed meeting times. : .. Dr. L, G. Austin agreed with Mr. Baggett and spoke of the support which could be given the City Council when loan proposals for necessary works were put before the ratepayers of Wellington. CENTRAL COMMITTEE NEEDED. . Mr. C. P. S. Boyer (Hataitai) said that the replies received ■ from the majority of the suburban associations consulted showed that there was a feeling that such a central committee or association was definitely needed. The beautificatio'n of Wellington was certainly a matter in which all associations should take an immediate interest, for Wellington was in that respect the most backward city in New Zealand. Broad questions of public transport were also matters for such a committee or association. ,Dr. Austin suggested that the committee might consider nominating candidates for the City Council." Mr. Barrington disagreed. If candidates were to be nominated it would be simply the thin edge of the wedge to the drawing up of another ticket.

Resolutions were carried that a central committee of representatives of air suburban associations should be set up,' and as to the general procedure, it was definitely laid down that the association should at no time interest itself in party politics.