MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 58, 10 March 1937, Page 8

MUNICIPAL PROBLEMS

OPENING OF CONFERENCE MINISTER SURVEYS THE i STATE’S IDEALS HOUSE AND TOWN PLANNING. [ Per Pre as Association. ] TIMARU, March 9. The Municipal Conference opened to-night, the delegates being welcomed by the Mayor of Timaru, Mr. P. C. Vinnell. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. P/rry, delivered a long address covering a great deal of ground. He said the Government had tackled the housing problem as vigorously as local resources would allow. Negotiations for the purchase of tracts of land in nearly every important centre were under way, and some purchases had been made. The Government was working in co-operation with local bodies and would not be content until every family had a pro- j per and comfortable home lo live in. Town Planning. The Minister referred to town planning, stating that they were aiming at towns being properly planned and mistakes of the past will not be allowed to occur again. He proposed to institute a comprehensive survey of New Zealand, with the idea of providing data on which local Government could, in the future, work more efficiently. The survey would involve a great deal more than mere physical and geographical features. Such problems as trends of population and regional distribution and immigration, public welfare, problems of health, recreation and the possibilities for effective utilisation of leisure must find a place in the survey. What had been accomplished so far was but indicative of what they would do if given the opportunity and if all interests would pull together. Work of l.oans Board. Dealing with loan finance, the Minister quoted figures setting out the work of the Loans Board and referred to the debt conversion operations of local bodies. The Minister referred to the New Zealand Centennial and to the Coronation, and to the national conference regarding tree planting. He concluded by stating that he would watch the progress of the conference with great interest.