THE TRANSPORT LOANS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20249, 8 May 1929, Page 10

THE TRANSPORT LOANS.

As the loan proposals of the Auckland Transport Board are being put to the vote to-day, practically everything that can bo said for and agaiust them has already been said. Even though last words on the subject must of necessity be reiteration, the position can perhaps be summed up finally with advantage. To make dissatisfaction with present services a reason for opposing the loans is a perfect example of illogical and confused thinking. The board needs loan money to improve the services. The greater the discontent, the greater should be the disposition to vote for the proposals. The board is submitting two proposals, either or both of which may be supported. The greater of the two includes the less, which embodies an instalment of the whole scheme planned for the next four years. That is to say, the £280,000 loan provides for a programme of work to occupy approximately two years, the £526,000 loan a programme for four years. If the smaller sum is authorised, the board will proceed with the works until the money is used up, and will then require to seek further loan authorisations. If the £526,000 loan is carried, exactly the same programme will be carried out for the first two years, after which the board will be able to proceed with the remainder of its scheme without additional authority to borrow. To reasonable people there is only one point for decision, whether the board is to be furnished with capital for two years' work, or for four. For the community which emphatically approved creation of the board to tie it hand and foot by denying it essential funds to do its work would be the height of folly. There is one outstanding danger to be guarded against to-day. The apathy of ratepayers regarding loan polls has long been notorious. A three-fifths majority of the votes cast is necessary to authorise the loans. Failure to vote might allow a militant minority to block the road to progress by defeating the board's proposals. It is essential that this money should be made available for the urgently-needed extension and modernising of the transport system. To be certain of such a result, all ratepayers should make the small effort demanded of them in order that there may be no danger of the proposals being lost through apathy.