UNION WITH THE CITY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21109, 17 February 1932, Page 10

UNION WITH THE CITY.

POSTPONEMENT SUGGESTED. TIME CONSIDERED INOPPORTUNE. Postponement for two years of consideration of any proposal for the amalgamation of suburban boroughs with the city is suggested by Mr. D. Donaldson in a notice of motion filed yesterday calling on the City Council to withdraw its offers of union with Mount Eden aud Mount Albert, on which a poll is to be taken in those broughs on March 9. Mr. Donaldson is to move that, in view of the fact that amalgamation of the city and Mount Eden and Mount Albert would result in a substantial increase in the present heavy burden of the city ratepayers, and because of the uncertainly of the present economic position, and its effect on the financial resources of the city, and also because the city ratepayers have not given the council a mandate to incur the added burden of responsibility, the amalgamation resolutions passed on September 24 and November 5 should be rescinded. If this motion is adopted, Mr. Donaldson is also to move that the question of the amalgamation of the city and adjacent boroughs be given further consideration two years hence. Mr. Donaldson said yesterday that he felt the council had net given sufficient consideration to the proposals, and that the present was a most inopportune time to add to the city's difficulties. Although he was awaro that the heavier burden of rates would not fall on the city ratepayers for three years, he was not sure that even in that time the position would be sufficiently clear for them to accept the responsibility. The motions will be considered by the council at its meeting on February 25.