ST. KILDA AFFAIRS.

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 11

ST. KILDA AFFAIRS.

TO TB» EDITOR. Sir —A letter appeared in your columns last evening criticising.the conduct of the St. Kilda Council an the matter of certain cartage work done by motor lorries, ami claiming that tins work could bo done cheaper by horses. While endorsing the attitude of Hatepaver,” I feel constrained to point out that the stone could not bo supplied and delivered at 2s Gd per yard, as there is a certain royalty to bo paid. Nevertheless, wore the conned really consistent —were it really interested m the solving of the unemployment question—it must bo quite obvious that it is really its duty to consider the advantages of having this work done by horses. The council evidently ignores the duty it owes to the ratepayers to have the work done as cheaply as possible, as I, an established contractor and a ratepayer in the borough, was not oven requested to quote a price for this work. It must bo obvious that by having the work done by horses more employment is afforded, since a largo proportion of tho price received by the motor contractor is expended on the cost and running expenses of his vehicles. This money leaves Now Zealand. Where tho work is done by horses tho greater part of tin's money is expended on wages and on feed grown in Now Zealand. In times of economic stress, when it is necessary to protect Now Zealand interests h.v opening as many useful and economic avenues of employment as possible, it is inemn-

bent on all, and more particularly on our public bodies, to do as much as possible to consult tho general interests of tho community in this regard.—l am, etc., C. J. Meade, November 5.