Neglect Of Duties By South Island MLP.’s Is Alleged

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 August 1947, Page 3

Neglect Of Duties By South Island MLP.’s Is Alleged

The view that members of Parliament were careless and neglectful concerning the affairs of their electorates when they declined to accept the invitations annually dispatched to them to attend the conferences of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, was voiced at the meeting of the association’s executive council, held at Greymouth yesterday afternoon. Members were urged to insist on their Parliamentary representatives attending future conferences. “We do not have enough contact with our members of Parliament, and that is the best way of making our weight felt,” said Mr N. Sim (Bluff). “Each member of this association should make it his business to see that the member for the district attends our conferences.” “We do invite them, and now and again one or two of them turn up,” replied the chairman, Mr. E. H. Andrews, Mayor of Christchurch. “Careless and Neglectful” “We should do more than write to them. Our members should make it their personal business to insist that they attend. There should be no asking about it,” added Mr Sim. “You don’t know M.P.’s, or they are a different sort down south,” suggested a member. “Though invitations are dispatched each year, most members are careless and neglectful of the affairs of this association. They should collaborate on behalf of the South Island,” said Mr D. J. Cockburn (Arrowtown). “Some few are good enough to attend, but they number only two or three. We must insist that they attend to their jobs and duty—and it is their duty to take an interest in these discussions. If they cannot assist us in our efforts on behalf of the island, they are not worthy of the electorates they represent,” he concluded. Vote of Censure Proposed

The chairman stated that Canterbury members had been called together to discuss mutual matters recently, but only five had turned up. He suggested that the members be asked to attend the final day of the conference particularly, as the association 'did not wish them to remain for the whole of the three days. “AVe should send them an invitation first, then a strongly-worded letter, and on those who fail to attend the conference should pass a vote of censure,” proposed Mr C. W. Tyler (Rangiora). The council agreed on the proposal.

DAMAGE TO LAND BY DREDGING FOR GOLD DISCUSSED

Concern at the damage being caused to productive land by the operations of gold dredges was expressed by members of the executive of the South Island Local Bodies’ Association, which met at Greymouth yesterday. The committee resolved to urge that steps be taken to prevent further destruction. “Considerable damage is being caused by mining ventures,” said Mr D. J. Cockburn (Arrowtown), who added that this position was, no doubt, well known on the West Coast. “Here we know it is a scandal, but the leases under which the companies are operating are supposed to be binding. However, the matter is so important that surely someone is justified in taking measures to stop this thing as soon as possible.” He moved that the association urge on the Government the necessity for taking steps to prevent, as far as possible, further destruction of valuable land in New Zealand by dredging for gold. ... , . “In Central Otago, mining is as bad as the rabbits or soil erosion,” said Mr A. E. S. Hanan, Mayor of Timaru, seconding the motion. “I understand that it rests with the Government of the day to impose on new mining licences the- condition that top soil be replaced, said Mr F A. Kitchingham, Mayor of Greymouth. He suggested that this should not be so, as it was possible foi pressure to be brought to bear an exemptions granted. He stated that most of the dredges on the West Coast had dredged land that could not be made worse. In at least one case the land had actually been improved. “Ikamatua, however, is nothing less than a national crime, he added. . “The time is coming when drastic measures will have to be to see that nothing like this is done m future,” said Mr J. Ward (Buller). Suggesting that the matter should be referred to the Westland Cate - ment Board, Dr Jobberns (North Canterbury) said that it was the board’s duty to take notice of the m The n damage to land by rab^ ds was also referred to, and it was de cided to urge the Rabbit Com® s ?’ on to reach no decision on its inquiries until evidence had been taken m the South Island.