MASTERTON District Council is being called on to lead the way and become the first local authority in the country to ban spitting in the street.
New Zealand First list MP Edwin Perry said he is sick of seeing young people "behaving in such a disgusting way" in the central business
district, at the same time putting other people's health at risk.
"I want to see the council frame a by-law that outlaws spitting to send a message to the rest of the country that we don't condone that sort of anti-social behaviour and are prepared to do something about it," he said.
Mr Perry said he had been approached by a Masterton business woman who shared his disgust with people who spit in public places.
"We came up with the idea that the way to stop it could be to frame a by-law, and police it.
"That could be the tough part and I am reluctant to load any extra work on our policemen, but there should be a way of enforcing it."
Mr Perry said a system of instant fines or compulsory community service may be the fitting punishment.
"I can live with rugby players spitting on the field and with a farmer who gets a mouthful of dust in his sheep yards having to spit ? that's his own territory ? but in Queen Street, Bannister Street or any other street in town it's just not acceptable."
