PROPOSED STREET LOAN.

Evening Star, Issue 22628, 21 April 1937, Page 2

PROPOSED STREET LOAN.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I should like to ask the council why a loan for that amount should be necessary for the maintenance, of tho streets. ■ I quite agree with ‘ Eyes Opened” as,to the time taken in repair work by tbe council’s employees. If the council’s “ go-slow ” policy operates- I, should think a loan of £200,000 ; will be required for tho council’s operations in the city and suburbs. —I am, etc Square Deal. April 21, TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —There are two opposing groups in connection with this much-discussed loan. They may be classed as “ inner and outer circles,” or “ haves and have-nots.” Those in the centre and its environs may oppose the loan, feeling satisfied with their roads and fobtpaths, but all are ratepayers alike, all have the equal claim, in justice to their fellow citizens in the outer circle, in justice to their fellow beings “ down and out.” I say—on with the loan. How proud we are of Dunedin! We will show visitors our new Post Office, we may also refer them to our city’s suburban beauties, but a broken car spring, a sprained ankle, “ milady’s ” muddy shoes will Dunedinites be equally proud of this? Can they travel comfortably to our suburbs? Let us get down to the real issues behind this. Our city is becoming unattractive in the eyes of others. One Christchurch visitor last year gave us his mind about our streets driving people from our city. Checking newcomers from settling here, will increase the rate burden per capita. Can you afford this? This money will be raised by a rate levy if the loan is turned down. This is far more costly than the interest on loan money. There is also the Government subsidy. The unemployed are now going through the mill with a vicious rise in their food.' They, too, have the public fairly scratching their heads by this economic mismanagement and their continued unemployment. Your duty is to provide them with work. You cannot turn down this You must not turn down these poor half-starved men, women, and children. This loan has a dual purpose. Three classes of workers—sustenance men idling along, money for nothing; No. 5 scheme, “ working for the citizens for a few shillings per week ” paid by subsidising their unemployment pittance; private employment workers going “ all out ” for profit—what a shocking state of affairs! Please do not judge “loafers ” in their wretched rags in the streets chipping grass, etc. Would any decent citizen work—sneaking honestly—under these same conditions? Give them five days a week really, useful work, feed them seven days a week as you would a horse, and if they will riot work after the “ straight tip,” bump them off. Passers-by may gibe; the lady of the house, peering through her curtains, may ring up the heads; but I say emphatically we have never been really tried out. Give us a sporting chance and we will show you what we “ can ” do. You cannot ignore this matter. There are grave issues behind the unemployment question. The citizens have it in their power to solve it, temporarily, at least. Let us understand the position and study each other’s case.

There are the annual recurring costs. I claim this loan will greatly reduce these by finishing many roads and their expense once for all. The facts are—you cannot afford bad roads. A general brightening up of our city, more cash in circulation, the general air of business in shops, on the roads—everywhere,- and we may induce many .to say Dunedin's Scotch city is moving ahead. Let us live in Dunedin: it is a fine city, and we all love “ Auld Reekie ” of the south.—l am, etc., 13. E. Kite. April 21.

TO . THE EDITOR. Sir,—Reading the mayor’s remarks at the meeting hold for the purpose t of explaining why tlio ratepayers' should vote for the loan one is struck by the easy way in Which His Worship talks

of hundreds of thousands. To him the addition of a few more hundreds of thousands to the city’s indebtedness is a mere nothing. Dunedin in past vears was a. carefully and well-managed "city, but since the Labour majority took control there has in that short time been quite a change. Or Silverstono was not at all encouraging in his remarks, for he stated quite definitely that we could not look for contributions on the past scale from our trading departments. Can wo for this reason, and 'knowing also that we have heavy expense to face in connection with the water department and drainage, place any confidence in the mayor’s suggestion that rates will not require to be increased if this £IOO,OOO loan is carried? The policy of our Labour councillors is to spend our money, and so curry favour with the Government. Such people can be profligate with other people’s money, and while they deride the carefulness and thrift ivhich has placed this city in its present position, they cannot get on without money. Consequently, if the ratepayers are not careful they will in a year or so find that their rates, in addition to other living costs, willperforcc have to be increased very considerably. When first the loan was proposed it was quite clearly intended that it was to relieve unemployment. The mayor refrains from referring to this point, and speaks only of street improvements. The cost of helping the unemployed is not ono to be foisted on the ratepayers of Dunedin, many of whom are hardworking people taking a pride in the ownership of their homes. My advise is to vote against the loan on the 22nd instant.—l am, etc.. Poon Ratepayer. April 20., (