TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE

Evening Star, Issue 23101, 29 October 1938, Page 13

TOWN PLANNING INSTITUTE

THE ANNUAL METING REGIONAL COMMITTEES SUGGESTED ESSENTIAL TO LOCAL BODY SYSTEM [Per United Press Association.l WELLINGTON, Ocl 28. The tenth annual general meeting of the Town Planning Institute of New Zealand opened to-day. Discussing regional planning Mr M. G. C. McCaul, m his presidential address, said he felt that the most sure method of approach to the many difficult problems that arose with closer settlement and increasing industrial life was through the help of regional com mittees. He referred to the increase in recent years as the result of the development that had taken place in a number of local governing bodies, and to the attempt of the Local Government (Amalgamation Schemes! Bill to relieve a situation that had necomo a heavy burden of over-government and inefficient government to a serious degree. He felt sure that wise amalgamations might be facilitated and unwise amalgamations avoided if regional committees were first instituted. This would permit of local governing codies with common interests working together on regional committees prior to consideration of any closer union. Apart from the questions of amalgamation it seemed to him that the steadily increasing number of problems arising that affected two pr more local governing bodies and which could not be solved by one without the active co-operation of others had made the formation of regional committees desirable and essential to the efficient working of the local body system, ot government. If local governing authorities did not show sufficient foresight to form such committees from their own personnel he felt sure it was only a matter of time when many of their powers and responsibilities would be assumed by the State, to the serious weakening of the system of local body government. In the setting up of regional committees care would need to be exercised to confine the scope of their operations solely to matters of regional importance, or otherwise difficulties would arise with the constituent authorities. In many cases regional plans comd welt deal with such problems as the most suitable locations for industry and commerce and the necessary communications to serve them, highways, hospitals, picnic resorts, and other open spaces, water supply and conservation of areas for future supplies, drainage, sewerage, river protection works and afforestation, and all such matters as might be of interest to the district as a whole. Regional committees tcula afford to engage more highly qualified technical help than individual authorities. and such help would be available to all constituent authorities as a eene ral consultant for their own schemes. Mr M. G. C. McCaul was re-elected president. Other officers were elected as follows: —Vice-presidents. Messrs T. Bloodworth, M.L.C., and E. H. Andrews; council —Messrs A. H. Bridge, N. C. Haigh, W. H. Guromer (appointed by branches), H. F. Butcher, R. B. Hammond, G. Drummond (representing the New Zealand Institute of Architects), A. J. Baker, A. R, Galbraith. W; E. Aked (representing the New Zealand Institution of Engineers), F. C. Basire, C. O. Barnett. G. N, T. Goldie (representing the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors). A. M. Fletcher. M. G. C. McCaul, E. H. Andrews E. Anscombe, F. B. Stephens. T. Bloodworth (representing other members); honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr G. Drummond; secretaiy and treasurer. Mr H. B. Burdekm.