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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Volume 31, Number 22. September 17, 1968

Law, finance hold back local bodies

Law, finance hold back local bodies

"Town and city administration lies in a Procrustean bed of ineffectiveness."

Councillor John Jeffries of the Wellington City Council recently addressed this remark to Victoria students.

He and Tony Haas, a post graduate research student, and Labour party candidate for the City Council were speaking to a small meeting of students.

Mr Jeffries explained that local government works within the framework of the law —it does not make the law.

Councils were prevented from doing all they would like through this legal restriction, and because of finance, he said.

The Municipal Corporations Act, for example, prevented a city council from taking action in such fields as anti-litter laws or strengthening dangerous buildings.

Rating was an outdated and inefficient form of revenue— essentially being a tax on property.

Even without extending the work of the council, rates must rise by 6 or 7% each year.

Cr. Jeffries concluded that he was very interested in getting younger people on to the council and was pleased to see Tony as a candidate.

In his address Tony Haas said he was a candidate for one principal reason.

"It is often said that young people should be more involved in politics, I would like to test the sincerity of those who say this.

"For example, if there is a demonstration the young are identified as causing it and are roundly abused. I would like to see if the young will be accepted in more legitimate political fields."

He then said he doubted that his campaign would be successful.

The system was loaded agaist ideas in favour of age, a person with a good idea could not get a good Press base to state his point of view —unless it was vividly expressed via a demonstration, or he was the head of some organization.

Mr Haas concluded by outlining some of the interests he would pursue if he were elected.

These included regional development; town planning; unemployment relief; and proposals to improve the quality of city life—improving scenic areas and providing entertainment facilities.

Councillor Jeffries

Councillor Jeffries