ALIGNMENT IS QUESTIONED

Southland Times, Issue 23737, 8 February 1939, Page 13

ALIGNMENT IS QUESTIONED

Social Security Building

CITY COUNCIL’S VIEWS Congestion Likely In Street? (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 7. The question of the alignment of the new social security building in Aotea Quay was raised at a meeting of the Wellington City Council. It was stated that the building would come within two feet of the footpath and this would set the building line in Aotea Quay for the life of the building, perhaps 40 years. The congestion that would be caused in this main arterial street by vehicles backing into buildings on railway leases was also emphasized. It was decided that the views of the council should be placed before the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage), the Minister-in-Charge of Social Security (the Hon. W. Nash) and the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple). In the course of the discussion. Cr P. M. Butler characterized the council s move as “obstructionist and another method to prevent the building being erected.” Cr R. McKeen agreed that the road should be wider and said the matter was one that went beyond local politics. He suggested that the council authorities should approach the Government on the matter and added that he was convinced that the Ministers did not know the council’s views on the subject. Referring today to the City Councils discussion, Mr Savage said: “I do .not know very much about the building line, but I do know this, that the City Council seems anxious to find out something that will stop us, instead of trying to help us. I would like to remind everyone, including the City Council, that the social security scheme will be the biggest thing ever known to New Zealand and New Zealanders, rind it is just as well that it should be realized that we are going straight ahead with the job and that we are going to allow no one to sabotage the movement.”