HOUSE DISCUSSES TOWN PLANNING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19197, 10 October 1930, Page 8

HOUSE DISCUSSES TOWN PLANNING.

SHOULD LANDOWNERS CONTRIBUTE TO COST?

* Fep Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 10. The House of Representatives met at 10.30 this morning. The Tramways Amenddent Bill (the Hon W. B. Taverner) was introduced and readl a first time. The Property Law Amendment Bill (with amendments), the Destitute Persons Amendment Bill (with amendment) and the Companies Amendment Bill (without amendment) were reported from the Statutes Revision Committee. The Ilawkes Bay Rivers Amendment Bill was reported from the Lands Committee without amendment. The Local Bills Committee, reporting on the Wellington City Betterment Bill, recommended that the Bill be not allowed to proceed, but expressed the opinion that the principle of betterment should be applied to the Dominion as a whole by means of a Betterment Bill. Mr R. M’Keen (Wellington South) said that the activities of municipalities with regard to town planning were considerably restricted owing to their inability to charge property owners with a share of the cost of improving city streets. Some Wellington properties had increased enormously in value as the result of street widening. A long discussion on the report of the committee ensued. Mr W. J. Jordan (Manukau) moved that the report should be referred back to the committee for further consideration. He said that the Bill had been introduced at the request of the Wellington City Council, to which it was a matter of importance, and it was at least entitled to a second reading debate. Mr M. J. Savage (Auckland West) seconded the amendment. The amendment was lost on the voices, and the report was laid on the table. Amendments made in the Legislative Council to the Nurses and Midwives Registration Amendment Bill were agreed to. The House adjourned at 1 p.m.