LABOUR'S REDUCED RATES.

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 104, 4 May 1935, Page 7

LABOUR'S REDUCED RATES.

Speaking at - Seatoun, Councillor T. Brindle said there was one question in the present election campaign that ought to be understood more ■ fully. Labour antagonists were trying to frighten the people by insinuating that when Labour got control of a local; body, rates must of a necessity be increased. Such. arguments could not be substantiated, but that did not deter anti-Labour supporters from making the assertion. Councillor- Brindle gave ■figures-relating to thirteen typical Labour-controlled boroughs •in England, which showed that- in: all cases:, despite the widespread poverty of the people there, not only had Labour councillors extended ■ the- social services much further, than '. their.; Torypredecessors, but' they had actually reduced the rates. Among the places mentioned .were Barnsley, Barrow-in-Furness,- East Ham; West Ham, Mansfield, Nelson, Workington, 'Rotherham, St. Helens, and Sheffield. The one I Labour-controlled city,' council in New Zealand, Christchurch, also proved that the argument was fallacious. The question, of -most importance, was:: Did the citizens get value for the rates they paid? '_ He. assured them that Labour recognised all "the^difficulties of administration,.' but was confident it could give efficient and worthwhile mana_gemerit on either City Council, Hospital Board, or Harbour Board. ;