WHY ROSLYN SHOULD AMALGAMATE.

Evening Star, Issue 14964, 26 August 1912, Page 1

WHY ROSLYN SHOULD AMALGAMATE.

(Contributed.)

The following, among other arguments, in favor of the amalgamation of Roslyn with the City of Punedin appear to be Tfrorthy of consideration. Perhaps some of your readers could add to the available information on this subject by exposing any fallacy that may lurk behind the arguments, or by advancing reasons in support of them. Amalgation would result in economy of administration for the. following reasons: It is not possible for any but largo centres to command the best engineering skill, involving, .is this does, payment ot* high salaries ; and without such direction our public works will never rise above mediocrity. Amalgamation might not lead t'o a reduction of the actual cost of the engineering staff of the united district?, but the true economy arising from efficient execution and control may be confidently looked for. If the streets of Roslyn are to be brought up to date a large expenditure will be necessary—very much larger than any of the sums I have heard mentioned —and unless the work is properly carried out it will not be permanent, and the money spent will be largely wasted.

A further important consideration is that ■economical working requires a fullyequipped plant, including, such costly items as stone-crushers, spreaders, rollers, cleansing appliances, etc. ; also that these must, be kept employed, so that capital will not lie idle, while 'the machines rust out. Roslyn cannot by its-elf provide and employ these things,'but as part of Dunedin it will command them all, and will enjoy the better streets so greatly desired. No reflection is intended either on the Roslyn Council or staff—they deserve credit for what, they have done ; but the day of the small undertaking is passing, and if we want to progress, it must be by union in public as well as in private business. Another matter perhaps by many people considered of little moment—the collection and disposal of dust and refuse, urgently wills for reform. The presentsystem of collection by contractors is crude. This should be done bv a responsible corporation staff. Contractors naturally adopt the Quickest way of doing the work, even though it may involve the neighborhood in a cloud of germ-laden dust. By amalgamation with the City the conditions would be favorable, to the* adoption of the most efficient svstem, not merely of collection, but of ultimate disposal ot such matters. The only sanitary method of effecting the latter is" bv burning in properly-constructed destructors. Obviously a small corporation could not economically adopt this system, while a large city can and should do so. For some time Dunedin has had this in view, and union with Roslyn would certainly hasten the work, in the benefits of which we should participate. Opponents of amalgamation refer to the trading enterprises of the City as lx»nig m some cases of at least doubtful value. Consider, however, the object of trading. A business man trades in order to make profit for himself by charging bis customers more for his goods than they cost him. A municipality is not on the same footing. With it the first object is to serve the. public, and then, if profit be made, to distribute it to the public either by relieving the rates or by reducing the charges for the services rendered. It really does not matter much which way the surplus goes. That such undertakings can be more economically worked and ! made to render more efficient service _ by I combined efforts than by numerous small and, perhaps, antagonistic interests is surely not. questioned. opposa amalgamation on this ground? There are many advantages possessed by large communities in the. way of opportunities for improvement and relaxation. Some of these may appear, especially when taken separately, to be minor matters, and are liable to be undervalued ; but when taken together, as they should be. sinoo thev exist together, they contribute in no small degree to the amenities of town life. Think of the facilities the citizens of Dunedin have for enjoying, not by permission, but as of righi. "Gardens, Library, and many other facilities. By their invitation we of Roslvn are also privileged to use them, and wo must- express our feeling of indebtedness for the favor.

The question of the Town Belt calls for consideration. Then? are peat possibilities before this reserve, but little more can be said of it at present. J.;', however, instead of being a borderland it became central hv the ama'gamrttion. th? hii-t'vst of the united corporations wouid be I'-, quickly transform it into a park worthy of our City.