TOWN PLANNING BILL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3296, 15 August 1911, Page 5

TOWN PLANNING BILL

MINISTER RELINQUISHES THE MEASURE. WHAT THE ADVERSE VOTE WOULD MEAN. CPEE PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, August 14. The Hon. G. Fowlds has decided not to l proceed with his Town, Planning Bill in consequence of the alteration, made in committee on Friday night taking away the power of the Governor-in-Council. Mr. Fowlds says he does not think members generally understood the significance of the vote given, on Friday night, as it would mean if given effect to. the. establishment of a bureaucratic Government in this country. | One of the nrovisions ini the Bill was for the formation of a Town Planning Board, to consist of the Surveyor-Gen-eral and four other persons anointed by the Governor-in-Council, and holding office for five, years. It would be the duty of the Board to investigate the proposals submitted to it, and having given another opportunity for interested persons to make objections, to report to the Governor-in-Council. The board would be merely an advisory body and it might make . any recommendation. it considers advisable. The power to modify or to disapprove of a scheme was retained by the Govemor-iai-Coun.-eil, but having obtained his approval, a Borough Council might proceed to carry out its proposals. Even when a scheme had been entered upon, 'it could be varied or revoked by a Borough Council, provided the requirements o.f the Act were fulfilled, and, if he thought it advisable, the Go vernor-in-Council could revoke a scheme.)