THAMES AFFAIRS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 17

THAMES AFFAIRS

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE QUESTION OF ELECTION {"by telegraph—owx correspondent] THAMES. Friday The draft bill intended tq give effect to the recommendations of the conference between the Thames Borough representatives and officials of the Department of Internal Affairs held in "Wellington in July was considered at a special meeting of the Thames Borough Advisory Committee yesterday. Urgent consideration was necessary in view of the possibility of any early adjournment of Parliament. The Under-Secretary of the department made a special reference in a letter to the submitted as a result of a public* meeting held in Thames recently that provision be made for an election in May, 1935, of the Mayor and the four other members of the Advisory Committee. It would be observed, stated the letter, that no provision for an election had been made in the draft bill. The proposal had received very careful consideration, but it was regretted that the Government was unable to agree to the request for legislative provision for such an election. It was considered that in the present circumstances of Thaipes the expense of an election was not justified. Further, the present members had been right through the negotiations which brought about the present system of control of the borough and were thus most familiar with the details of the situation. Tt would not be in the best interests of all concerned to make a change at this stage. In conclusion, the UnderSecretary said he felt confident that on reflection those advocating the election would see that no useful purpose was to be served by holding an election at present. . , A resolution was passed that in the opinion of the committee the request of the ratepavers for an election to be held in 1935 should be acceded to. failing which provision be made for any member to be removed from office should there be a demand for such action from j a reasonable proportion of the rate- : payers.