RATES AND ECONOMY

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 47, 24 February 1934, Page 12

RATES AND ECONOMY

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Many ratepayers who are struggling to find the necessary money to pay. the current year's rates before they are mulcted a further 10 per cent, are wondering when the council is going to make some move for rate reduction. While property values have declined 20 to 30 per cent., the rates in many cases are more thisi year than last. The recent comparison of salaries paid to the higher officials of the city with those for similar positions in the Government point where considerable savings could be made. -Far too mueli of the ratcpuyei^' money goes in salaries. For the size of the population the city is overstaffed. —I am?I'etc., . ■ ECONOMY. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l notice that the Labour members on the City Council, with the support of Councillors Duncan and McKeuzie, have carried a resolution to set up a committee to reorganise the City Engineers' department. This action has long been desired by a lai-ge proportion of the citizens, as it is felt 'that the city does not require: the services of the alleged surplus of engineers and officials. I was surprised to see this -.desirable, resolution adopted by a majority of due vote. Surely those ■who voted against it. are out of touch with the opinion of the majority of citizens. More surprising still is the attitude of Councillors Luckie, Forsyth, and Burns, who have put forward a rescinding notice ■of motion. This notice of motion merely holds up the business of the committee unnecessarily, as, according to your report, the matter was fully debated when before the council. Are these councillors attempting to obstruct a valuable inquiry desired by an overburdened. body of vatepayers? ;It is amazing also that 'the Ratepayers'.;. Association has not publicly expressed ah.-. opinion on the: matter,: although' if;.;is understood it favoursi such an? inquiry^'Jt ;is felt by many citizens that it is, the,: duty of the 'association to give: a pnblic indication;of its official view of the notice of motioni put'v:forward, by some: o£ its- endorsed councillors.—l \ani, er'y:' ■'^■■" . .: . ;:;';':'-/PUZZLED^: