WAS IT POLITICS?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8171, 12 July 1912, Page 1

WAS IT POLITICS?

A WELLINGTON BILL. ME HERDMAN AND MR/HINDMARSH. ; / The legislation committee of the city council last-night...had in.its report which gave rise to some political colour. Tho clause read: v , Tho committee hare to, report that they havo considered the; Draft Bill entitled the Wellington and Karori Sanitation and Water Supply Bill submitted by the city solicitor and forwarded herewith. In anticipation of having its action confirmed by the council, the committee authorised tho city solicitor to havo the Bill advertised owing to tho shortage of (time, and to ask Mr Herdmun to take charge of the Bill in tho House. The committee have to recommend that -the. Bill bo approved and that their action as above reported be approved. , \ Councillor Tregear, speaking, he said, without any political motive, asked why Councillor Hindmarsh, M.P.. was not given charge of the Bill. This was the usual procedure when a councillor was a member of Pax-liament. Councillor Atkinson, chairman of the committee, explained that as the!Bill concerned the district represented by Mr Herdman (Wellington North) and by Mr Bell (Suburbs) tho committee had asked Mr Herdman to take charge of it, without any political concern at all. Councillor Fletcher moved an' amendment that Councillor Hindmarsh’s ilame be inserted iiistead of Air Herdman’s. Councillor Barber seconded tho amendment. L ■ . Councillor Hindmarsh said-.he had no objection to the, question going to.a vote, seeing that a principle was involved that a member of tbo council should take charge of tho Bill. Tlie Mayor reminded councillors that whilst tho practice was as stated, tho committee had already- asked Mr Herdman. to take charge of the Bill. Ho felt sure there was no political aspect to tho matter. • Probably the' committee sliould have first consulted the: council. Councillor Tregear said ho desired no political interpretation whatever placed upon his action, and as Mr Herdman had already been asked to act, ho would withdraw 'his amendment. Councillor Atkinson stated that as Parliament was in session, the committee, without desiring to lose time, had taken the action it did. Probably if tho record clerk had put in tho word “recommend” all the objections would have been met. Tho practice of members of Parliament was to jealously guard. local interests. and as Wellington North was affected by tho Bill, they had hoped to expedite matters in this way. All things being equal, he admitted that preference should, bo given to a councillor who was a member of Parliament. Councillor Hindmarsh said that as Sir Herdman had already been asked to take charge of tho Bill, ho did not think iho ■ council should now take it out of his hands. Ho therefore did not desire his name to go forward. Councillor Fletcher accordingly withdrew his amendment. The Mayor remarked .that tho committee had only exceedeif' its power by taking action without first of all referring tho matter to the council.