DRIFTING?

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 226, 17 June 1908, Page 8

DRIFTING?

- — MUNIGIPAL. WORKS AHEAD. A DEFINITE PROGRAMME WANTED. Has the City Council got a clear and logical public works policy? Docs it know what enterprises and improvements it is going to undertake within t'nb nest year or so, and whore the money is to como from? Is tho municipal coat being cut according to tho financial cloth? These questions are suggested by the notices of motion which Cr. A. S. Biss has. set down for consideration at tomorrow's mooting of tho Council. Tho motions, which have already been published in The Dominion, virtually ask that tho works that have been authorised from time to timo shall be placed upon a definite programme, with recommendations as to ways and moans. A representative of this journal called on Mr. Biss, and asked him to outline the views which had caused him to take this action. • PROMISE AND PERFORMANCE. Mr. Biss replied'that, in his opinion, tho present timo was opportune to focus up the work of tho Council for tho past two years. At tho two last elections of councillors various works involving heavy expenditure of public money wore approved by tho candi-, aates, but, with very "few exceptions, nothing had yet been done towards carrying out thoso works. It was quite true that in ono or- two eases the ■ Council had approved of tho.work being carried,out, and valuable reports had been prepared by tho committees, but there tho matter seemed to rest. "The abattoir question," continued Cr. Biss, "has been finally settled, but owing to the stringency of the money market His Worship has wisely_ postponed the raising of tho money for this work. The loans for reserves have been practically all spent, but unfortunately we have not not as much space as we anticipated. when tie loans were raised.

"Another reason why the programme of works should bo clearly defined is to bring homo to the public the !oi)£ list of» works which have been demanded and the shortness of money available for their performance. In a few months now many of us may I>b seeking rc-olection, and will then be reminded of the promises that were rnade at tho last election carry' out certain works, and in tho usual light-hearted manner we will probably repeat our promises to win tho votes of tho electors.- This is not as it should be. I want to endeavour to reduce tho programme to the works that are within our means, and then carry out those works speedily and effectually. At any tiino. now the monoy market may become easier, but in the absence of any well-thought-out scheme; it is impossible to say what work should take precedence. This question should bo settled by the Council, and then the Finance Com-, inittee can watch its opportunity for. raising tho necessary money.' PIECEMEAL WORK. , "With regard, to the tramway and electric lighting extensions and new plant, we are inclined to drift into piecemeal work, instead of looking.well ahorid'of our requirements. Here again the advisability of carrying out improvements is affirmed by the. Council, but eventually they get pushed aside by requirements in other directions that wero not previously thought of. It is imncr.at.ivo that tho Council should settlo definitely how much work can bo done out of revenue, and then select tho most urgent items to bo charged to capital, but to be paid for. out. of the funds which are available, known as 'depreciation fund.' . There must, of course, bo a limit to expenditure out of this fund, and if a clearly-cut programme is not set out we may find urgent expenditure that would bring in an income being pushed a3ido for work of loss importance.

"During the-ensuing' nine months I should liko to soo .1 programme drawn up and strictly adhered to, in order that at the expiration of our term of.office wo can leave our finances in first-class order and fclio publio can sea exactly what point we aw working up to. Those .who seek re-election can get on expression of opinion by the voting as to whether their programme Is approved or not, and I hope that this will , load to the carrying out of fewer woiks instead of making many promises."