SMALLER CITY COUNCIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 12

SMALLER CITY COUNCIL.

MEMBERSHIP OF TWELVE.

MR. G. CAMPBELL'S PROPOSAL

NOTICE OF MOTION GIVEN. A proposal to reduce (lie membership of tlio City Council from 21 to 12 is to be brought before tho council at its next meeting by Mr. G. Grey Campbell. Mr. Campbell has given notico of tho following motion:—"That the council bo reduced in number to 12, exclusive of tho Mayor, and that tho necessary steps bo taken to mako tho same effective for tho next general election for tho council." Discussing tho matter yesterday, Mr. Campbell said that section 37 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1920, provided that a municipal council should consist, in tho case of a borough where the population exceeded 20,000, of not less than 12 nor more than 21 councillors, exclusive of tho Mayor. The Auckland City Council consisted of 21 elected councillors and tho Mayor, plus 11 co-opted members of tho Town Planning, Library and Leys Institute Committees. The present number had beon built up by the amalgamation of Parnell, Romuera, Point Chevalier, Archhill, Eden Terrace and Epsom. With tho amalgamation of Tamaki and Avondale, representatives of these districts had only sat on the council until the first eloction following the amalgamation.

The Auckland Council was larger than that of any other city in Australia or New Zealand, with tho solo exception of Melbourne. Tho figures for eight cities. Mayors included, were as follows: —Auckland, 22; Wellington, 16; Christchurch, 17; Dunedin, 13; Sydney, 15; Melbourne, 32; Adelaide, 19; and Brisbane, 21. With the formation of separate bodies to control electric power and transportation, tho council's responsibilities had been lessened in scope, and any excuse for a large membership had been removed. A smaller council would mean less trouble for voters at the biennial elections, and from his own experience ho was convinced that 12 councillors could do all tho work, on committees and otherwise, performed by the present 21.