CITY COUNCIL FINANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1932, Page 6

CITY COUNCIL FINANCE.

In a recent issue you published an interview with the Mayor and chairman of the streets committee concerning the rate question and also street works. We have the astounding suggestion by the Mayor that the rates will be increased 23d in the £on all ratable property in the city. I ask him as an accountant how is he going to obtain this extra amount. We have had, and still have, skilled artisans who were a year or two ago earning good wages now employed on relief works, their spending power being almost completely gone. And of those who own their houses, how are they going to find the extra money to pay for civic extravagance? There is also the case of the landlord, who may have a few houses —his rents have been reduced fully 30 per cent, and by the Mayor's proposal he is being doubly penalised. I would suggest a remedy. Reduce Mayor's honorarium, also all the heads _of departments, town clerk, engineer and assistants (five), building and traffic inspectors —all those receiving over, say, £4 10/ per week. They have, we know, had 10 per cent cut, but what of employees in commercial institutions in this city who have in many instances suffered a reduction of 40 per cent; and now we have the civil servants receiving their third cut, making over 30 per cent. I mention these facts to show that the spending power of the ratepayers has been ruthlessly cut, and we, therefore, look to our Mayor and his colleagues to ease the burden of the ratepayer. The Wellington City Council reported having saved nearly £31,000 recently, and the Christchurch City Council reduced their rates 10 per cent. Let Auckland endeavour to follow these examples and not talk of increased rates which cannot be paid. CITY RATEPAYER.