TO RE-MODEL HASTINGS

Hawera Star, Volume L, 6 March 1931, Page 9

TO RE-MODEL HASTINGS

town planner wanted. I PROBLEM OF FINANCE. (By Telegraph —Press Association.) HASTINGS', March. 5. ‘‘We ought to have a town planner here,” said Mr. Gordon Roach, son of the Mayor of Hastings and a member' of one of the biggest commercial firms whose properties were destroyed in the earthquake at a meeting to-day to consider matters to be brought forward bv deputations to the Hon. R. Masters to-morrow. ‘Here is an opportunity tor a town planner to give ns a better Hastmgs,” he said ‘‘What is three months delay against the benefits of a life'The Mayor Mr. G. F. Roach said ho would dearly lore to see the streets widened, but many people could not afford to give away land. He agreed! however, that they ought to have a planner and get his advice. If the land were given it was a beautiful idea, but if it were to be bought, it was a different matter. “I’m with you heart and soul it yon can show how it can he done moderately, said the Mayor. If a planner were ever wanted it was on this occasion. The Government Town Planner had been asked to come, but so far had not arrived. Discussing the proposed building regulations the owner of several town properties said: “We want to know >vliat they’re going to he. I know perfects well they are going to be completed by the 11th, but nobody knows when they will he passed into law. He said many firms were ready to go ahead and rebulid when the effect or the regulations was known. For ex1, ample, banks and other institutions iin a similar financial position could proceed immediately. When Mr. Masters comes he will be asked to receive deputations on matters of gi’eat urgency. People here are showing some signs of restlessness at the passivity into which they have been forced by Government delay. Among the suggestions made was one by Mr. G. A. Maddison. a former Mayor, who said a responsible officer of the Land and Income Tax Department ouglit to be sent to accept on oath applications for the remission of income tax and penalties. The Government promise to consider cases on their merits was all very well, but inevitably meant that taxpayers would have to go to the extra expense of employing lawyers as intermediaries-. Mr. W. C. Whitlock editor of the “Tribune,” said every penny was wanted for reconstruction and re-financing business. . . ~ . A. proposal that awards should be suspended and Parliament should sanction a uniform wage cut, rather than that employers should be allowed to reduce wages under private treaty, was made by Mr. Whitlock. He thought a nrivate treatv might allow unfairness both to employer and employee and cause much dissatisfaction. A cut would be fairer to both sides. Some reduction would allow employers to give as much labour as passible. Mr C IT. Sinter went so far as to describe £3 a week for single men m a luxury wage.