MORE RELIEF WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 372, 14 March 1932, Page 7

MORE RELIEF WORK.

Metropolitan Areas Agree to Combine. ENGINEERS TO CONFER. In an endeavour to have mapped out a comprehensive plant of development a comprehensive plan of development a meeting of representatives of local bodies and other organisations in and around Christchurch was held in the City Council Chamber this afternoon. The conference was called by the Christchurch branch of the Town Planning Institute of New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) presided. A general committee was set up to prepare a comprehensive report, and, with the aid of a technical committee, to recommend approved works to local bodies. The Mayor said that similar steps had been taken in Wellington, where the Institute’s scheme was adopted. The idea was not only to secure coordination among local bodies, but also to visualise the metropolitan area as a whole in its tackling of the problem of unemployment and the ensuring that futtire relief works were of an economic and permanent character. The scheme would give all bodies the use of the combined technical skill among them. It was proposed that those present should form themselves into a general committee, which would appoint as a technical committee the engineers attached to the various local bodies. The technical committee would report on matters referred to it by the general committee, which would later advise local bodies concerning schemes proposed. There was no suggestion of the committee interfering with the rights of local bodies. It was essential that all works put in hand should represent the best possible avenue of expenditure of public money. Motion Favoured. The following motion was proposed by the Mayor:—“That steps be taken to set up a general committee comprising members of Parliament for the metropolitan district of Christchurch and representative.s of the local governing bodies, business and professional organisations, to prepare a comprehensive report on development works of a permanent and economic character, which can be undertaken profitably within the district in relief of unemployment.” Messrs W. W. Scarff (Heathcote County Council). W. 11. Nicholson (Mayor of Sumner) and 11. G. Ell (Summit Road Trust) were speakers who expressed themselves in favour of the motion. One difficulty, said Mr A. Manhire (Waimakariri River Trust) was that in a locality where much scope for work was found, the local bodv concerned might not have the funds for insurance and supervision. The Unemployment Board, of course, would pay the wages. In answer to questions the Mayor said that the committee would not usurp the functions of the local bodies, whose schemes would be reported upon only at the wish of such bodies. Whether large schemes were initiated by the committee and recommended to local bodies for adoption rested with the committee.