DISPOSAL OF THE OLD MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE OPPOSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18887, 11 October 1929, Page 13

DISPOSAL OF THE OLD MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE OPPOSED.

building has much HISTORIC INTEREST.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, October 10. Though a Ministerial assurance was given early in the debate that nothing definite had been done in the way of disposing of the old Ministerial residence in Tinakori Road, Wellington, the House of Representatives devoted about two hours to-day to an amendment to reduce the Maintenance of Public Buildings vote by £lO as an indication that the property should not be sold. The mover, Mr D. Jones (Mid-Canterbury) detailed a long line of Prime Ministers who have lived in the residence and declared that it was a grave blunder to dispose of so historical a building and grounds. Opposition to any sale was voiced by the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr H. E. Holland, who thought that as Wellington was very congested in that locality the Government might well provide the city with a fine open space. The Hon G. W. Forbes, acting-Leader of the House, explained that the annual cost of upkeep of the old building was so heavy that the Government called for a general report on Ministerial residences, but nothing had been decided as to the ultimate use of the site. Nothing of a definite character had been done. This explanation was supplemented by the Hon E. A. Ransom, Minister' of Public Works, who stated that a survey was made to see the possibili ties of the site if it was realised, but there had been no decision in the matter. The Government had bought another block of land nearer Parliament Building, adjoining other public land, and this was very suitable for Ministerial residences. The objection to the Tinakori Road building was that it would cost a very large sum annually to maintain. The solution of this problem, announced Mr M’Keen. a Wellington City Councillor, was for the Government to hand the land and building to the city, which would undertake to maintain it properly as a public reserve. Mr Jones asked the Minister later in the debate if the House would be given an opportunity of voting upon the question of selling the residence of the Prime Minister. “Yes, I think so, if I have anything to do with it,” replied the Hon E. A. Ransom. By consent of the House the amendment was withdrawn. “I hope the Government will not give a lead to the rest of the country and to people who are entitled to have their own homes by creating accommodation so that Ministers will live in flats,” said Mr Jones. "I think it would be a retrograde step. Grouping all the Ministers in flats would be going entirely in the face of public opinion and be very wrong.” The Hon E. A. Ransom explained that it was proposed to erect Ministerial flats on ground across the street immediately behind Parliament Buildings. When the new museum was built the existing museum building would be demolished. "Oh, you don’t propose to put the Government in the museum, do yoxi," queried Mr Jones with a laugh. "Not this Government,’ was the Min ister’s grave reply.