OMATAROA RIDING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 305, 14 May 1941, Page 4

OMATAROA RIDING

Sir, —I would like to have the opportunity of clearing a misunderstanding regarding myself in connection with the Omataroa Riding contest. I have! heard much to my surprise, that 1 am backing Mr Butler. To this I give a flat denial. Mr Butlcfr is paddling his own canoe as far as I am concerned and 1 think that any councillor should remain strictly neutral in contests m other ridings. This is' the privilege of thet ratepayers having the chance to make their representative run the gauntlet of their opinions. It is correct that I gave my opinion when asked by Mr Butler and several ratepayers, on his being reliuatant to stand against an absentee, that a way out was to have an active members and a contest later if required. He followed on this suggestion. It was. not known at that time that Mir C'liff-McCulloch was definitely offering his services. I have also been asked what I considered Mr Clilf-McGul loch's reaction would be to the Rural Hous- - ing Scheme-, and have stated that » as a sound businessman he would no> doubt oppose the legislation. The Rural Housing Scheme is, and should be, still regarded by ratepayers, as it is yet possible, though not probably, that the Scheme could be reconsidered and adopted j Until such time as the right to a ratepayers' poll is included in the Act this legislation may still be a menace to our secui^ties. Yours etc., H. C. McCREADY.