THE TRANSPORT BOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20649, 22 August 1930, Page 11

THE TRANSPORT BOARD.

BASIS OF ELECTION. SINGLE AREA PROPOSED. VIEWS OF LOCAL BODIES. MAJORITY AGAINST CHANGE. Tho proposal fo alter the existing basis of the election of members of tho Auckland Transport Board by providing that the voting should take place over ona undivided area instead of in three districts as at present was fully discussed at a meeting of local body representatives held in the Newmarket Council Chamber last evening. Each of the nine local bodies invited was represented by one or more delegates, and at the close of the discussion it was found that five local bodies favoured fbe present system being given a trial, while four desired a change. Ft transpired that through an oversight the Panmure township had not been invited to send a delegate.^. The Mayor of Newmarket, Mr. S. Donaldson, who was voted to the chair, said it had been thought that the best method of settling the matter in dispute as to the electioji of Transport Board members was to call a meeting of representatives of the local bodies concerned and they might then be able "to assist their friends in Wellington." The discussion was opened by Mr. 1.J. Goldstine, who said that at tho Ona Tree Hill Council meeting the previous evening it was the unanimous opinion that a change such as was suggested should be brought about. They had not received the representation which they thought and hoped they would receive. Should tho six representatives of the city desire to vote together they must be able to dominate the board. There must come times when the interests of the city -would clash with those of outside local bodies and in that case there would be six votes against four. Mount Eden Favours Change. Of course it was true that the city would have a preponderance of electors in the whole area, but in practice it would be found that if the election were taken over the whole district the outside districts would receive a fair share of t representation. Mr. W. H. Nagle said he also was the bearer of a unanimous resolution in favour of the proposed amendment from the Mount Eden Borough Council. .He was extremely sorry that the board had taken the proposal as a reflection on its work. The personnel and work of the Transport Board were not under review at all. In time to coine the outer districts would have the preponderance of population and he deprecated the artificial barriers between inner and outer areas. Only a broad metropolitan outlook could serve the needs of the day. •' Mr. Nagle moved that, "This conference of local bodies requests the Government to amend the Transport Act to provide that the forthcoming election of the Auckland Board shall be held over the whole transport area. They deem . this necessary in the best interests of future transport." . When Mr. A. J. Entrican, deputymayor of Auckland, raised the question whether it was intended that only ratepayers should vote under the new system, supporters of the proposal made it clear that it \# ts intended that all electors should vote. City Council's Attitude. The motion was seconded by Mr. R. G. Clark, who said that the present membership of the Power Board was very representative of tfie various districts. There was nothing to be afraid of. The public would see to it that the members selected were thoroughly representative. Mr. W. H. Murray rose to ask by what authority the deputy-mayor of Auckland had selected the two representatives of the city present Mr. Entrican explained the circumstances in which they had been appointed. Mr. Murray was seeding to pursue the matter when a point of order was raised and he was ruled out. The statement that the City Council was entirely opposed to the proposed alteration of the present system was made by Mr. J. B. Paterson. The six representatives of the City Council were given by the commission, ho said, and two-thirds of the population concerned was in the city. He pointed out to outside local bodies that there was a danger of their losing all representation under the new proposal if the city took concerted action. If, as Mr. Clark said, there was nothing to worry about, why worry and disturb the present position ? Present System Supported. > On behalf of tho Mount _ Wellington Road Board, Mr. G. Gollan said his board supported the retention of tho present : system. ' The attitude of Mr. Paterson was also supported by Mr. J. Wood. The members of the City Council who had conducted the business of the board had shown neither fear nor favour, and had i given fair service to all districts, he said. " The Mount Albert Council has instructed us to vote against the proposal," 1 said Mr. J. H. Langh-y. "We are get--1 ting all that we ask for arid feel that wo ' are well represented on the Transport Board." Mr. A. Milliken reported that with one exception the Ellerslie Town Board was quite satisfied with tho present representation and saw no reason whatever for a [ change. Until some injustice could be pointed to, things should be left as they ! were. [ " Tho unanimous vote of the Onehuuga Borough Council is in favour of the pres- , ent system," said Mr. E. Morton. Evp.ry- ■ thing was going along -very nicely at. the present time, he said, and any veprnsentations from outside members always received a fair hearing from the city 3 members. 5 Mr. H. r. Burton said they were there in the interests of the whole transport area. Mr. Goldstiire's renifivks bad been, full of insinuation, but had no constructive suggestion. "If those who "convened this meeting are genuine in their —continued Mr. Burton.

The Cliniriiiau: I lake very strong ex-, ception to tlint. Mr. Burton. 1 10 * sponsible for calling this meeting, and I make no apologies for clomp it. _ ou are practically inferring that. there is son.o underhand work, and I rap assure you that there is nothing underhand about- me. " Fair Treatment by Board." 1 £ Very well." said Mr. Burton. T will let it go at that." He added that-thero was no dissatisfaction with the present constitution eff the. Transport. Board. which did not have a parochial ontl«>k. Mr. W. H. Fulton agreed that, the outside. mouthers were being tveited very fairly I>Y 1 lio boftt'd. Mr. S. I. Gooclall said the majority of the Mount Roskill Road Hoard had heeif in favour of the proposed change. Mr. Entriean expressed the opinion thai, jt. was the greatest-mistake, to raise fooling between different parts of the aw& concerned. Tliey had thrashed out a> workable scheme' with great care, and why should they alter it now hefore tha first election had been held ? The chairman said the city , had fought the outside bodies in every possible way. The present proposal was absolutely democratic and would give general satisfaction. When a vote was taken it was found that the following four local bodies supported the motion: —One Tree Hill Borough Council. Mount Roskill Road Board? Mount Eden Boroufch Council and the Newmarket Borough Council. It was opposed bv five—the Auckland City Council, the Mount Albert Borough Council, Onelmnga Borough Council, Ellerslie Town Board and Mount Wellington Road Board.