COUNCIL MEMBERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 6

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Increase Suggested PROPOSAL TO APPOINT GENERAL MANAGER The constitution of the City Council and the general question of the administration of the city’s affairs were among the matters considered by the Maori Hill Householders and Ratepayers’ Association at its latest meeting. The subject was raised in a letter from the Wakari-Kaikorai Improvement Society suggesting that ratepayers’ associations should nominate candidates for the City Council. The considered view adopted by the association was that while there were some merits in the system of district representation on the City Council, the interests of the city as a whole were best served when councillors acted for the city and not for any particular part of it. The intrusion of party politics into local affairs was deprecated; and it was felt that such nominations would bring party politics into the ratepayers’ associations, which would be a matter for regret.

“ We feel there are two alternatives that warrant consideration,” says a statement issued by the association. First, the suggestion is made that the number of councillors be increased to, say, 20, thus dividing the work and ensuring a greater number of candidates. Secondly, there should be a full investigation as to the advisability of a complete change in city administration by the appointment of a commissioner or general manager who, with a small advisory council, would have complete control of, and responsibility for, the city affairs. This system is in operation in Australia and the United States, and seems to be satisfactory.”