PROTEST LODGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 15

PROTEST LODGED.

MANUREWA FOOTPATH LOAN.

MAYOR REPLIES TO CRITICS.

At a well-attended meeting of ratepayers last evening the matter of a lastminute protest which had been lodged was dealt with by the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Ferguson, who prefaced his remarks with the statement that he was not there to make any apologies for anything he and his council had done. He was amazed that anyone could think that the present loan proposal was a new one in view of the fact that a meeting of ratepayers had practically directed the council some months ago to proceed with a very much larjier programme. It was on the instructions of the Loans Board that the scheme had been modified to its present small dimensions, and the council was in no way to blame for the delay that had occurred. The loan had been granted under the special legislation governing loans for the absorption of xmeniployed men and full labour subsidy had been promised by the Hon. P. C. Webb. Had this last-minute objection not been lodged work would now be well under way.

As matters now stood there was every probability that the subsidised labour would not be available. If such was the case the council would not proceed with the work even if the loan poll should be carried. Without the labour subsidy the cost would be too great.

Why tiio protect should have boon left till the last minute when four weeks had elapsed from appearance of first advertisement of intention to borrow under special order, was hard to understand.

Much indignation was felt by the large majority of ratepayers that the short-sightedness of a few had possibly lost the borough work of a permanent nature at an economic cost which would never again offer. There wne no doubt the loan would be carried by a large majority, but the whole matter now hinged on whether or not the labour subsidy would still be available. If the scheme fell through by reason of loss of labour subsidy the signatories to the protest would be alone to blame.

The Mayor dealt clearly with facts and figuroe during his remarks, and showed to the satisfaction of thtose present that the finances were healthy. At the conclusion of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks to the Mayor was carried bv acclamation.