OBEY LYNN AND GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14923, 22 February 1912, Page 6

OBEY LYNN AND GREATER AUCKLAND.

The vitality of the Greater Auckland movement is demonstrated by the fact that it is quite Undaunted by defeat and perpetually returns into practical politics after every repulse. The latest evidence of its inevitability is to be seen in the action of the Grey Lynn Borough Council, which has voluntarily determined to reconsider the question and is obtaining, from the City officials, information calculated to enlighten the ratepayers of the Borough upon the financial effects of amalgamation. Mr. Parr has very properly taken the ground that as fj* as his authority and influence can facilitate negotiations every effort will be made by the City to conserve the interests and allay the misgivings of the ratepayers of Grey Lynn. In strenuously advocating the great desirability of a Greater Auckland we have always pointed out that in certain respects the City has little or nothing to gain by the absorption of surrounding local authorities, as it is an increasingly wealthy corporation, possessing many privileges and practically controlling certain essential monopolies. Nominally, the City might even lose money by taking its neighbours into partnership in its endowments and properties, and the movement has, indeed, been opposed by Aucklanders on this ground. But great civic organisations must look .beyond the narrower range ..of im,mediate financial, interests, and act upon an intelligent appreciation of the necessary outcome of progressive movements. The chaotic state of the metropolitan area, with its medley of petty authorities and its lack of any organised control is utterly unsatisfactory, and is a most costly handicap upon civic progress: This great commercial and industrial centre, which stretches from Takapuna to the Manukau and from the Tarn aid to the Whau, which is already populated by over 100,000 people, and may number a-quarter of a million within a-quarter of a century, has no common purpose in civic affairs. It. is a pitiable aggregation of independent local authorities, who are constantly being compelled to act together, but who more frequently' blunder along in their own isolated courses, not because they are antagonistic to one another but because they have failed to arrange between themselves a basis for union. This state of affairs is as bad for Auckland City as it is for the pettiest of its neighbours; as the leading and richest district the City has a duty to. perform in convincing those who fear ; the loss of independence that they have nothing to fear and much to gain. Ultimately all will gain, financially as in every other way, by better civic organisation, and Auckland City can

well afford to make some slight sacrifices and to offer attractive terms. Possibly the better way to solve the problem would be for all the bodies concerned to attain amalgamation by an heroic .effort, but as this does not appear feasible at the present time, there is excellent reason for renewing the slower process by which the City has reached its existing dimensions. Ponsonby, Grafton and Newton threw in- their lot with the original city, , and would not dream of seceding were the opportunity offered. Grey Lynn, which is only separated from the City by an arbitrary line may well follow in their footsteps, and by so doing would set an example which other contiguous local authorities might decide to follow. A careful preparation of the issue and a fair presentation of the case to the ratepayers of Grey Lynn may. be expected to convince them that amalgamation with Auckland City is not only public spirited but financially advantageous.