PARK LAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23256, 18 July 1945, Page 4

PARK LAND

i Criticism Of 1 imaru Member Opposed To Transfer The referendum had not changed Ill's convictions, but as far as | possible he would remain neutral I and ensure an impartial hearing ! lor witnesses before the Lands Committee. 1 Tills statement had been made by | tin- Rev. Clyde Carr, said (lie chairman I 'Mr E. Macdonaldi to a meeting of | tin South Canterbury Hospital Board yearn. d;iv. when reporting or. an interview that he and Hie Medical SuperinI tendent 'Dr J. C McKenzie;, the | secretary 'Mi H. G Naylor' and Mr A. S. Kinsman had had with Mr Carr . conci-ming tiie referendum relative to i tin- transfer of a -'rip of park land I for hospital purposes. ; Mr Macdonald said that tiie matter would again come before the Lands Committee before being submitted "> i Parliament. Mr Carr had said that if ihe were called to give evidence he ; would be against the proposal. • Mr A. S. Kinsman said that Mr Carr had been asked if he would oppose the transfer in the face of the expressed will of the people. Mr Carr said he represented the minority as well as I the majority. He still had his own I personal opinion. Mr Kinsman said he j would be disturbed if the people’s will i were to be flouted by Parliament He ' had met the Minister of Lands (the Hon. C. F. Skinner) who expressed the opinion that if the referendum were carried the matter would be decided by the Cabinet, but the opposition had been on the warpath. Mr Kinsman said he would be interested to hear what the Labour Party had to say about the matter. They were the champions of democracy. What would they say if Mr Carr opposed the will of the majority? If they were defeated in this humane object, by a minority who were obstructing for the sake of obstructing, it would be a calamity for Timaru. It was a question that did not affect Timaru alone, the whole of South Canterbury was looking on, said Mr J. C. Hay. Mr F. G. M. Raymond said that the delegation should have a well planned

attack prepared when it met the Lands Committee. The Board had to ensure that its case would be presented competently. When the delegates had met the committee on the last occasion they had been jockeved into an adverse position by the versatility of Mr Carr and those who opposed the transfer. Mr Carr represented the people as a whole and his personal opinion should not enter into the matter.