CITY ECONOMIES

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 221, 14 June 1932, Page 5

CITY ECONOMIES

Discussion by Council PARKS AND RESERVES Confirmation of Rates CLOSING OF ZOO URGED Economy, especialy in relation to the Reserves and Parks Department, were discussed by the City Council yesterday afternoon when the rates for the current year were confirmed. To the Mayor's motion confirming the rates, an amendment was moved that the proposed rates be referred back to the Finance Committee on the ground that it was to involve the dismissal of 45 men from the Reserves Department. The Mayor said that such a conclusion was “utter nonsense.” After the Mayor’s motion had been carried, Councillor R. Semple gave notices of motion to close the Zoo altogether, and to cut down drastically the salaries of all the highly-paid officers of the council. Councillor C. H. Chapman moved that the rate proposals be referred back for further consideration on the grounds that ,a statement prepared by the director of parks showed that the allocation would mean the dismissal of 45 men from the reserves department. Some of these men had been in the employ of the council for ten or twelve years. He would like the matter of the rates reconsidered to see if it were not possible to save these men from dismissal. “I have seen the report, and I say that it is entirely inaccurate, and the suggestion that the allocation as settled will bring about the dismissal of 45 men is utter nonsense,” said the Mayor. “At the outside it might be necessary to dismiss, a dozen men, but as the result of certain proposals to do , with salary conditions which I propose to bring up at Thursday’s meeting of the council, probably no one will have to go at all.” Privileged Report. At this stage Councillor F. Meadowcroft, chairman of the reserves committee, protested against the director’s report being discussed, as it was a privileged report to the reserves committee. It was not before the council, and the discussion was out of order. “Councillor Chapman moved an amendment to the motion confirming the striking of the rates,” said the Mayor, “and in doing so mentioned this report, which I say is inaccurate and misleading.” “Regarding this one thing, said Councillor Meadowcroft. “Regarding a good many other statements,” retorted his Worship. This talk of dismissing 45 is utter nonsense. The report shows that it was written under stress of strong annoyance of the economies we have had to make in his department” Councillor R. Semple, in seconding Councillor Chapman’s amendment, said that the Mayor asserted that the Director of Parks was all wrong, and that maybe only a dozen men might have to go. Mr. Semple was satisfied that economies could be made in other ways without sacrificing any more men' in the council’s employ. He suggested that the Zoo should be done away with altogether rather than that a few of the animals should be killed off. Jealous of Reserves. “I’m jealous of our reserves,” continued Councillor Semple, “and I think in the Director of Parks we have one of the council’s best officers, and in his jealousy and zeal he is loath to see the reserves and gardens go back for lack of sufficient labour. I think there are other channels to be tapped.” He thought the economic crisis would last a long time, and that there were those at the ton of the tree who l»af not been contributing their share. He would oppose vigorously any further dismissals from the rank and file of the service. Councillor W. A. Appleton: “You don’t suggest any increase of the rates?” Councillor Semple: “No, I don’t: but we’ve got to use the pruning knife on the economic tree where it can stand it.” Councillor J. N. Wallace said it was not possible to increase nor reduce the rates, so they had better go ahead and strike them. He agreed with Councillor Semple that they might look into the cost of the Zoo. The animals should have more.freedom. “I don’t agree with the Zoo in any shape or form.” Salary Reduction? The Mayor spoke of a report he intended to bring up on Thursday by which he proposed to effect a considerable saving in salaries. They did not know yet, but with careful inquiry reserves might be able to get along on its £24,000; even on that figure it might not- be necessary to dismiss more than a few men. Councillor T. Forsyth said it was disagreeable to put men off, but it was equally disagreeable to spend money they had not in sight. He attacked the newspaper which published the director’s report, considering that it had lowered the ethics of journalism in doing so. Councillor W. A. Appleton said he thought his Worship was unduly optimistic in believing he was going to get a return of £480.000 in rates. “I’m with Councillor Semple in making further economies,” said Councillor Appleton, “as I cannot see the council collecting £480,000 in rates, so it will be on the side of prudent finance to adhere to the rate, though I still think it undulv optimistic to imagine w» can collect the rates on the estimates.” On Councillor Chapman’s amendment being put it was rejected by 11 votes to 3. Councillors Chapman. Semple and J. McDonald were the only “ayes.” 2j per cent. Discount. Councillor. S. Holm thin moved that 2$ per cent, discount be allowed on all rates paid before the last day of October. This was seconded by Councillor J. McEldowney. After the motion was ruled out of order Councillor Holm, on the consent of the whole of the council, was allowed to move it. ’ The Mayor took the view that it would be giving £12,000 to the ratepayers. The motion on being put was lost by 8 votes to 5. Councillors who voted for it, were Councillors Duncan. Gaudin, Holm, McDonald and MeEldowney. Zoo and Big Salaries. Councillor Semple then gave notices of motion as follow: — (1) That as a measure of economy the Wellington Zoo be closed; (2) That all officers of the City Council in receipt of £lOOO a year or oyer be reduced to £750 a year, and that’officers in receipt of salaries from £520 to £lOOO a year be reduced to £5OO a year. The first notice of motion was signed by Councillor Semple only, and the latter by Councillors Semple, Chapman and Dunean.