GREATER AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19447, 1 October 1926, Page 14

GREATER AUCKLAND.

DISCUSSION OF PROBLEMS.

CONFERENCE TO BE CALLED.

COT TAKES FIRST STEP.

ALL LOCAL BODIES INVITED. The first steps in calling a conference of all local authorities in the metropolitan * area from Henderson to Manurewa, and including the four North Shore boroughs, to discuss town planning, traffic and administrative problems, are to be taken by the Auckland City Council. 1 he decision was made by the council last evening. A. deputation representing the professions of architecture, engineering and surveying waited on the council on September 16 and submitted comprehensive proposals in connection with The future planning of the city and envirtsns of Auckland, at the same time making reference to the proposed civic centre as affected by the Town Planning Act. The representations were referred to Works Committee of the council which recommended that the matter should be deferred for a report from the city engineer after the report of the Civic Centre Commission is made available.

Mr. Bloodworth's Amendment. 'An amendment to this recommendation was moved by Mr. T. Blood worth, who suggested calling' a conference of local bodies interested to consider the matter of planning and administration. The amendment suggested that as the proposals submitted by the deputation related to territory included in, and extending beyond, the city boundaries, and important questions of administration concerning. the council and other local authorities within the area would bo raised in a discussion of the proposals submitted, and also, ;is legislation enacted during the past session of Parliament, namely, the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act, the Town Planning Act, and the Local Government Loans Act. rendered it imperative that there should be closer cooperation in matters of common interest to local authorities within the metropolitan area than has been the caso in tho recent past, the council should invito all local authorities within the area, from Henderson to Manurewa inclusive, and including t ie four North Shore boroughs, to attend 'a conference to discuss: —

1. The proposal put before tho council by the deputation of architects, surveyors and engineers.-

2. Question's of administration arising out of .the three new Acts referred to. 3. Any matter which had been suggested or which might bo brought forward, having for its objective the betier development or more efficient administration of the. area, or services, under the control of the authorities invited to attend the conference".

The Need ior Co-operation. Mr. Bloodworth said he thought the council should recognise tho importance of the matters raised by the deputation and also the importance of the deputa- . tioti itself. It was pleasing to note tho spirit of the deputation. His main difference with the Works Committee's recommendation was the delay that would be caused if the engineer were, called on to report 'after the Civic Centre Commismision had completed its work. He could see obstacles in the way which would mean that the calling of a conference as (suggested would not be considered until about next July or August and, in the. meantime, the council would have to confer by law with other local bodies on motor-bus traffic, while the J own Planning Act and the Local Government, Loans Act would come into force. "The day of independent, action by the local bodies is gone." said Mr. Bloodworth. "We have to confer with each other, while under the Town Planning Act arid the Local Government Loans Act the final say does not rest with, the council or any body in which it has representation." The most pressing problem was the question of providing better traffic routes. He hoped no one would come to the conference with any set schemes, but rather that all the delegates would discuss freely and frankly the problems confronting the city and suburbs. The conference could then set up committees to discuss various matters and the committees could bring down recommendations to a later conference. Mr. Bloodworth said he had a novel idea for the first conference, suggesting that it might take the form of a summer school at Pukematekeo, in the Waitakere Ranges. from which point the delegates could see the problems set out below them. It was far better that they should meet and find u solution of tho difficulties than that they should hs.ve a solution imposed on them by legislation.

Support for the Proposal. Mr. J. Robertson said the proposal was the most constructive that had come before tho council for some time. He paid a tribute to the generous offer of the members of tho deputation to place their services at the disposal of a Greater Auckland town-planning commission. In supporting the amendment, Mr. L. A. Eady said it was not a question of Greater Auckland, but one of a greater share ici tho 'greater problems of tho city and suburbs.

Miss E. Melville said the value of the conference would lie, not so much in the technical details, but in public recognition of the fact that many of the problems of the local bodies were of concern to others.

Mr. ,T. Dempsev, chairman of tho Works Committee, said they were all in agreement with tho amendment, but it consedered desirable tho council should be acquainted with the details the engineer could give before it proceeded to call a conference. It was too important a matter to deal with in a hurry. The amendment was carried on a show of hands, the chairman of the various committees of the council and Mr. Bloodworth being appointed a committee to draw up an agenda and -to make the necessary arrangements for tho conference.