TOWN PLANNING

Southland Times, Issue 21073, 3 May 1930, Page 8

TOWN PLANNING

AMENDMENT TO ACT STRONG REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER BETTERMENT PROVISION ' (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 2. Strong representations to nave compensation and Betterment provisions included in an amendment to tiie town rianmng Act during tne approaching session ot rarliament were made to tne Minister of internal Aitairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle) to-day by the executive of the Municipal Association of blew Zealand. Particular reference was made to the position of Wellington, the statement being made by the Mayor (Mr G. A. Troup) that the absence o£ Hie betterment provision would cost the city hundreds of tnousands of pounds. Mr Troup, who was the principal speaker for the deputation, said tne executive of the association was very disappointed when it was found that last year s Town Planning Amendment Bill did not contain clauses providing for betterment and compensation in Wellington. “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 Te Aro fiat. It cost the City Council a very large sum of money through the provision now sought not having been made last session. If it is to be 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 we find the law is quite useless. We look upon the whole of this town planning as absolutely futile without, the betterment provisions. I have been asked by the association to urge with all the strength I possibly can that provision be made this year. If 'it is not made, we will consider 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 and their feet tied with regard to town planning. We feel that at present the whole position of town planning is hopeless without betterment.”

In reply to a question whether he anticipated that, the 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 always been discussed with his expert officers. Mr Troup said the conference was unanimous that the compensation and bettermerit- clauses should be placed before Paniamerit to give members the opportunity of voting for or against them. The Bill should not be a party measure. v The Minister: It would not. be regarded as a party measure if I brought it before the House. Mr Troup remarked that Wellington had a bill of about.£4oo,o9o for street improvement and widening, and from it not a nenny piece had been received by way ot betterment. In reply to a question by the Minister, Mr Archer said that taken as a whole, Christchurch was almost unanimously in favour of the movement. Mr Troup declared that as far as city populations were concerned, there were ten men in favour of betterment and compensation to every one against. The only one against it was the wealthy man. Aou will find the same thing in the House, he added “There will be a few dead against it on account of their holdings. I will bring the matter before Cabinet,” the Minister promised. “I am in favour of giving it a go if Cabinet is in favour of it.”