TOWN PLANNING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12102, 3 September 1917, Page 4

TOWN PLANNING.

SUGGESTIONS FOR A BILL. [From Our Correspondent ] WELLINGTON, September 1. In view of the prospect of the Hon G. W. Russell introducing a Townplanning Bill this session, a deputation representing the Town-planning Conference, which had included delegates from all parts of New Zealand, interviewed the Minister yesterday and put forward conference suggestions on the subject, Tho deputation comprised Messrs C. J. Parr. J. Payne and H. G. Ell, members of the House, the Hon J. T. Paul and Mr S. Hurst Seager, of Christchureh. Mr Parr, president of the coherence, stated that they had been much impressed with the South Australian Town-planning Act, drafted by a Now Zeaknder, Mr 0. G Reade, who had exceptional knowledge of this class ot legislation and colonial conditions. Mr Hurfit Seager stated that the conference approved of the principle of three expert commissioners as a central Town-planning Board, who would work in association with the local board where anv planning scheme was tried out. The "latter body would comprise not more than eight local representatives appointed by the Government, together with the engineer or member of tho local body in the affected area, any scheme to be submitted to the locial who would have three months to consider it. Any scheme was subject to the Minister's approval. "The Hon G. W. Russell remarked that the only difference between the scheme in his Local Government Bill and that submitted by the deputation was the constitution- of the controlling body of permanent Government officers. Mr Hurst Seager said he hoped that the Minister would give favourable consideration to the question of housing, ma-king proper provision for garden, shrubs and workers' homes. They washed him to adopt the South Australian garden cities and housing section. There was also the important question of division of authority between Government departments. Mr Russell remarked that no Government department would consent to interference from another department. They managed their business in iwatertight compartments. The Labour Department would never agree to submit' its workers' dwelling schemes to another department. Hon J. T. Paul: The most we hope; for is that the influence of town-plan-ning experts should be reflected upon them. Mr Russell expressed the opinion that there would be no difficulty in providing for the planning of town extensions, but the problem was to provide money for improving existing areas. If Wellington, for instance, wished to clear the slum area, would the cost be borne! by loan? Mr Hurst Seager replied affirmatively, adding that in England a Public Utility Society could buy up an area and make a financial success of the scheme. Mr Rmssell: This could be done here. Mr Hurst Seager: But there is no authority to compel people to sell. Mr Russell declared that neither! Parliament nor municipal bodies would agree to any body other than the local authority having power to compulsorily acquiro land. Mr Parr stated that the South Australian Act provided for complete control by local bodies over this question. Mr Russell: There is no question of setting up another authority? Tho deputationists: No. The Minister in his final reply said 1 that the Internal Affairs Department; had been instructed to prepare a gen-) eral Town Planning Bill and it would be upon the experience of this measure that future features of the legislation could be built up and the general scheme extended. He could not hold out much hope of legislation being adopted this session, but the introduction of the Bill would enable the subject to be discussed during the recess. Ho supposed there was no city in New! Zealand where half a million pounds could not be well spent in improve-* ments. There was no chance of the State footing the bill. Local authorities would have to provide the money by loans. This raised tho question of the ratepa3 T ers' sanction, but ho realised that there w T as no danger of tho ratepayers being so apathetic that they would oppose any scheme involving expense. If the scheme formulated by the local authority was gone through by Government experts and finally approved by the Minister, he thought the local authority could bo given power to borrow without a ratepayers' poll.