TOWN PLANNING LAWS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17249, 3 May 1930, Page 7

TOWN PLANNING LAWS

AMENDMENT URGED PROVISION FOR BETTERMENT (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Strong representations to have compensation and betterment provisions included in an amendment to the Town I’huiiiing Act during the approaching sessions of Parliament were made to the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. I’. A. de la Perrelle, to-day by the executive of the Municipal Association of New Zealand.

Particular reference was made to the position of Wellington, a statement being made by the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Troup, that the absence of a betterment provision would cost the city hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mr. Troup, who was the principal speaker for the deputation, said the executive of the association was very disappointed when it was found that, last year Town Planning Amendment Mill did not contain clauses providing for betterment. “In Wellington,” said Mr. Troup, “we were grievously concerned because we knew in pounds, .shillings and pence what it would mean to us. With regard particularly to the town planning of To Aro flat, it cost the city council a* very large slim of'money through the .provision now sought not having been made last session. If it is to he delayed again this year, it will cost us a very much larger sum. If there- is no provision in the future, it will cost us hundreds of thousands of pounds, because, at present, wo find the law is quite useless. We look upon the whole of this townplanning as absolutely futile without betterment provisions. .1 have boon asked by the association to urge with all the strength T possibly- can that provision be made this year, and it it is not made, we will consider that the Government has let the local bodies down very badly. I ask you to take this 'matter into your very serious consideration, as the local bodies have both their hands arm their feed tied with regard to town planning. We feel that, at present, the whole position of town planning is hopeless without betterment.'’

LITTLE OPPOSITION. In regard to a question as to whether he anticipated that tho bill would go through the House this session, the Minister replied that that depended upon the. temper of the House. He promised to have the points raised included in the legislative programme he proposed to submit to Cabinet at an early date. The question had already been discussed with his expert officers. Mr. Trmi]) said the conference was unanimous that the compensation and betterment clauses should be placed before Parliament to give members the opportunity of voting for or against them. The bill should not be a party 'measure.

Tho Minister: It would not be regarded as a party measure if i brought it before the House. Mr. Troup remarked that Wellington had a liill of about £-100,000 for street improvement and widening, and from it- not a penny piece had been received bv wav of betterment.

In reply to a question by the Minister, the Rev. .1. K. Archer said that, taken as a whole, Christchurch was almost; unanimously in favor of tlie movement.

Mr. Troup declared that-, as far as city populations were concerned, there were 10 men in favor of betterment and compensation to evorv one against it. The only one against it was the wealthy -man with vested interests. “Yon will find the same thing in the House.” he said. “There will he a few dead against it on account of their holdings.”

“T will bring the matter before Cabinet..” tlie Minister promised, and he added. “T am in favor of giving it a go if Cabinet is in favor of if.”