REGIONAL PLANNING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 15, 15 December 1945, Page 10

REGIONAL PLANNING

NEED FOR CARE URGED.

“Local bodies will have to watch the powers they already have or they will be undermined and this will lead tu confusion. Regional planning may do good in some directions, but be a nuisance in others,” said the chairman (Ur W. McKay) at the monthly meeting of the Pohangina County Council. Cr. McKay was reporting to the council on a meeting he had attended of the primary industries committee of the Regional Planning Council. He said that the deterioration of waste lands adjacent to Palmerston North had been discussed, with particular reference to the Himatangi block, where, it was contended, vast improvements could be made if roads were formed. This had been referred to' the Manawatu F County Council. Greater development of Opiki 'for onion growers had been discussed, but the whole position hinged on the shortage of accommodation. The question of housing had been referred to the housing committee of the council. Noxious weeds and the control of vermin had also been discussed, but nothing had been decided upon. It appeared that the Himatangi block could be 'concentrated upon and brought into development. From what he could see, they were all very much “in the air” as far as any objective was concerned. He was apprehensive that there would be a lot of duplication of matters being handled by local bodies. What powers the Regional Planning Council possessed they did not know. Local bodies already had powers and they should guard them. “If we can’t carry out our duties,” said Cr. McKay, “we should be pushed out or get out,’-’ ' There was no further discussion.