MUNICIPAL BODIES' TERMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21315, 17 October 1932, Page 12

MUNICIPAL BODIES' TERMS

EXTENSION SUGGESTED^ UNFAVOURABLE OPINIONS ' The decision of Parliament that its lif« should be extended from three to four years was paralleled by a suggestion made by the Legislation Committee of the "Wellington City Council at a meeting of the council last week, that there should be no municipal election next year and that the Minister oi: Internal Affairs should be , asked to promote legislation to enable municipalities to hold elections at intervals of three years, instead, of two years. The chairman of the committee, Mr. W. J. Gaudin, said that the proposal was put forward purely as an economy measure, ai tho elections cost about £2OOO. The Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, said that though economy measures were com- > mendable, he did not think the present was the time for the council to decide to extend its term; the proper time was just before the council was returned to office, not while councillors were in office. He, personally, would not like to be concerned with a matter which would prolong the term of office in that way. ''lf I did happen to have any intention of standing for a this office again I would very much rather go to the electors and ask for their approval of the policy." He thought that the proposal should be referred to the Municipal Association. Mr. R, Semple, M.P., said that certainly Parliament had extended its W e » but Parliament had done many things that he would not like to see the City Council do. The question should certainly be referred to the electors. The fight over v the extension of the Parliamentary term was by no means over. Mr. E. McKeen, M.P., said that it was hopeless for the council to' seek legislation as proposed. The proposal should go before the Municipal Association. Air. Gaudin said that the committee had suggested the course it had, because o the question could not have been referred to the annual conference of the Municipal Association in time for the matter to ba referred on to Parliament this session. Mr. W. Appleton said he agreed that the question should go to the electors. A * three-year term would be desirable, from the point of view of continuity of policy and also of economy. The idea had received support in other centres. The proposal will go forward to the Municipal Association Conference as » remit.