COUNCIL CRITICISM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22618, 22 April 1948, Page 3

COUNCIL CRITICISM

MEMBERS’ DISPLEASURE TRADE UNION STATEMENT Personal displeasure at the criticism of the Gisborne Borough Council by the Gisborne Trades Council was expressed by Mr. G .J. June at Tuesday night's meeting of the Gisborne Borough Council, when a short discussion took place on the published remarks of Trades Council members. He had taken part in the two discussions regarding the enforcement of the Fair Rents Amendment Bill and the nomination of a member of the State housing allocation committee, said Mr. Jeune. Action was still going on regarding the latter matter and he thought it was definitely not the place of the Trades Council to criticise the council for wishing to know the names of other members of the committee before nominating a member. The action of the Gisborne Borough Council in not nominating a member of the committee had not deprived anyone of a house as they would still be allocated regardless of whether or no a committee was set up. The Mayor, Mr. N. H. Bull, considered that the Government had unfairly pushed the administration of the Fair Flents Amendment Bill on to the council. The State had departments which could administer the Act just as well as the council.

As for the allocation of houses, he added, the Government also appeared to want to push this on to the council. The council was prepared to undertake that responsibility, although it would be a particularly onerous task for a member.

The Trades Council had the privilege of criticising the council, but he thought it should not have done so on a matter which was still awaiting completion. Mr. J H. Hall defended the Trades Council as the members were citizens realising the duties of citizens. The Government had been castigated regarding the allocations of State houses and in allowing the representatives of the people to allocate them had carried out a truly democratic principle. A point of order was raised by Dr. A. L. Singer, who pointed out that the argument could be carried on indefinitely for and against the actions of the Gisborne Borough Council and the Trades Council. The discussion then lapsed.