ST. KILDA AMALGAMATION.

Evening Star, Issue 19020, 15 August 1925, Page 10

ST. KILDA AMALGAMATION.

ro THE EDITOR.

Sir, —I do not desire to enter into tho merits or otherwise of amalgamation, but I would urge St. Kilda ratepayers not to be too easily persuaded to sign petitions or to pledge themselves in favor of amalgamation until they have heard both sides of the question. It is largely a question of rates, and this attempt to secure amalgamation may not bo a genuine desire to join the city, but an attempt to defeat the rating on unimproved value system, which has been a real boon to to per cent, of the ratepayers. I feel convinced that there are many St. Kilda ratepayers who are in favor of amalgamation, hut who wish to retain the unimproved value system of rating. Before the poll is taken could not some arrangement he agreed upon between the St. Kilda Council and the City Council that, ip the event of amalgamation being earned, the City Council will' not alter the present system of voting in St. Kilda without a vote of the St. Kilda ratepayers agreeing to such an alteration P Perhaps, if this was agreed to, the present advocates for amalgamation would be opponents of it. This is ivorth consideration. Once in the city we cannot get out, so my advice to St. Kilda ratepayers is to act cautiously and do not be in a hurry, because once married to the city there is no divorce — I am, etc., Solo. August 15.