DEVONPORT LOANS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 230, 28 September 1935, Page 14

DEVONPORT LOANS.

At a time when, from tlic Devon port ratepayers' point of view, nothing is more important than a reduction in the high rates, the Borough Council sees lit ' to launch a scheme for spending money on a large scale. The whole thing is most disappointing to ratepayers, who, ' because of the extravagance of past councils, have seen their rates doubled, ; if not trebled. Devonport is not a rich 'borough and its urgent need is not i ambitious municipal undertakings involving further debt, but rigid economy ■ and consequent relief of the heavy ex- , isting burden of rates. Even at' that 1 there are many big liabilities in the , future for Devonport and it is only ] common sense to conserve the resources of the borough. Much use has been made of the word "progrfess." Let me suggest that the true progress desired by the ratepayers is economy, foresight and caution. The last two qualities are essential because of the profound influence a harbour bridge or tunnel must exert on the town when on 6 or the other inevitably comes. With the |)laco of crossing further up the harbour i t is not difficult to picture Marine \ Square as a dead-end, not eyen a front 1 loor. It is to be hoped that the rate- c layers, when they are given the oppor- ,1 unity, will discard most emphatically i hese loan proposals. c SOLON MINOR. I a