MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 479, 12 April 1909, Page 4

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

The Labour Representation Committee's manifesto on municipal affairs will make most people painfully conscious l of their inferiority to Labour in tho matter of rising superior to facts. The policy of the committee is "to further democratise our municipality" by plunging into every sort of expenditure that can bo thought of. The labour organisations are to be congratulated upon tho active interest which they are taking in municipal politics. Their views are certainly calculated to stimulate prudent citizens into expressing their opinions at the forthcoming elections. The draft balancesheet of the municipality which was published on Friday last shows very plainly that nothing is more urgently needed in tho management of tho city's affairs than prudence and moderation. There is a heavy debit balance in the electric lighting department, and tho tramways only just pay their way. Tho rates ar,e high, tho needs of tho city arc great, tho times, are calling for economy everywhere. During the coming year there am large works to bo undertaken in addition to tho normal obligations of tho municipality. The city, in fact, has been living up to almost the last penny of its income, and it is impossible, oven with a moderate programme, that there can be "liny reduction of the high-rale burden. But the Labour Representation Committee is not in any degree daunted by the facts of the position. Jt approaches tho facts with a martial air; it will stand no nonsouse from them, ludcod, the

action of its candidates, if' they arc elected, will be to teach the facts a sharp lesson on their irrelevance. In other words, "as soon as possible after the new council is elected the city engineer should be asked to report in full on what works are urgently required nnd fresh loan proposals be, thereafter, submitted to the ratepayers."

A portion of the committee's programme is quite commendable, but it is .ridiculous to ask the public to support a programme which embraces the prompt establishment oi municipal milk supply control, public markets, a city public health and cleansing department, municipal housing accommodation, a full water supply for the high levels, a schcme for relieving the congested dwelling areas, the establishment of municipal gas-works, and the other desirable and undesirable things which appeal to democracy. Even the desirable things in this programme must submit to another test than the test of merit. We all of lis should like to see the city made a model city, but even the noblest aspirations of the municipal reformer must take count of ways.and means. The city has incurred heavy obligations in recent years, and at an increasing pace. The time has been reached when caution is necessary. It is all very weli for the retiring Mayor to say, as he said on Thursday, that the municipal services "should be used not only for revenue purposes, but for the proper evolution of society." But unless a sharp eye is had to revenue and the sordid money question, the only evolution of society will be evolution into debt. If we must save our civic souls, let us at any rate endeavour to save them in a solvent state.

The Labour Committee, it must be admitted, says that it "recognises in full the need for steady action," although it "considers it a policy of cowardicc which says that all new works, whatever their nature or urgency, shall alike cease." But the alternative which it proposes to the "policy of cowardice" is the brave and comprehensive policy of plunge which we have referred to. It would be easier to applaud the valour of the committee if its bravery had led it to face the financial side of the situation. None of us would be cowardly if we had no need to trouble about paying our debts. To talk of a halt in municipal extension as stagnation is very silly and unfair. The bulk of the electors are well aware of the necessity for caution, and. the Labour Committee's manifesto should have the effect of hardening them up in their resolve to sec that the city's management is placed in cautious hands. The municipal roll closes on Wednesday, lind it is the duty of every elector to become enrolled.