“PANIC MEASURE.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 194, 17 August 1931, Page 9

“PANIC MEASURE.”

Building Bill Denounced in Auckland. COUNCIL LOSING POWER. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 17. The Building Construction Bill now before Parliament came in for severe criticism at a meeting of the Auckland Citv Council. The Town Clerk, Mr J. S. Brigham, submitted a report on the Bill, and the Mayor, Mr G. W. Hutchison, moved that the question be referred to the Works Committee, with power to act. Mr H. P. Burton, chairman of the Works Committee, said that although members were aware of what was proposed the regulations had only been in the hands of the city engineer for fortyeight hours. It was no use dealing with the question hurriedly. They should wait until the engineer reported on the Bill and the regulations. Mr E. J. Phelan pointed out that the Bill would be dealt with by Parliament before the next meeting of the council. While it was essential to have something universal as far as building bylaws were concerned, there should be no disabilities embodied in the regulations. If certain of the clauses were allowed to pass without protest the council, sooner or later, would become no better than a glorified school committee. The Bill showed a tendency towards centralisation and in addition it imposed considerable taxation. In respect to earthquake research, he was of opinion that the cost should be met by the Consolidated Fund. The Bill dealt principally with business premises and he thought there should be something universal in respect to houses. It was the duty of the Government to encourage New Zealand production, including timber for building purposes. Postponement Advised.

Mr A. J. Entrican said the Bill was in the nature of panic legislation. It could be very well postponed for a year. It was another attempt at centralisation. Miss E. Melville said it was absurd for the Bill to deal with the whole Dominion as one unit, irrespective of whether the areas concerned were m an earthquake zone or not. Houses should be labelled first, second or third grade, but that was a question apart. Mr T. Bloodworth suggested there would be more panic next year. A voice: By a Labour Government? Mr Bloodworth objected to the Government limiting the powers of local authorities by every measure introduced. He would not mind if Parliament ruled, but he was of opinion that the permanent heads of departments ruled. No control was given by the Bill over existing buildings. They were told they had that power, but he doubted it. “ Robbed of Power.” Mr G. Grey Campbell complained that local bodies were being robbed of their power, and the council as a whole should protest against the Bill and the class of legislation it represented. Mr D. Donaldson said if the principle of the Bill was to concentrate the powers of the council in the Public Works Department there was cause for objection. The Mayor, Mr G. W. Hutchison, said there was a danger that the Bill and its regulations might override existing by-laws. The Works Committee, in consultation with architects, engineers, and builders, would endeavour to arrive at a common ground of agreement. The motion was carried. issiai®saa@siaaai®ss