COBDEN'S NEEDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1912, Page 8

COBDEN'S NEEDS

(To the Editor.) SLp—in reply to ‘'G.L.C-,” I ask vour permission to say a few words. He asks what have the rentpayers clone that they should not be consulted? I would willingly include them, but in the matter under discussion—a proposal to form a borough the County franchise, unfortunately, is so limited as to only give ratepayers ft vote should a poll be taken. However, were such a proposal carried the rent-payers would have a, say m electing a (Mayor and Councillors. “G.L.0.” mentions that it is not what Cobden wants, but what the people ean afford, as when rents go up, wages go down.-” Quote true- But it is the same with fnpst things that fluctuate in price, and one only gels back to the purchasing power of the sovereign. To my mind an equitable system of land taxation is required, as land values have undoubtedly more to do to-dav with the cost of living than anything else. In Gisbprn© (to-day progressing perhaps more than any other town of its size in the dominon), a note of warning has been sounded by the local press against unscrupulous land agents and inflated land values. As for the disintegration of the County by Cobden becoming .if borough, it is just a question can we easily bear our burden to-day that wo may be fit to take up the heavier burden to-morrow. The new valuation of Cobden properties Jp to band, which shows a substantial increase upon the old valuation, so a fair idea would be obtained as to what is the rateable value. I quite agree with ‘“G.L.C.” that there iff an unnecessary multiplicity of bodies, but it is questionable were the duties of one large f>ody multiplied could the work be undertaken expeditiously and carried out as effectively as it is to-day. Some years ago one Education Board controlled the West-land and Qrey Districts, intimately each district diecidicd tp haw ins ofvp Board ; it is only natural that people like to have as much as they can to call their own, The greatest mistake is made in multiplying the public offices field by the same man. Thanking you for your valuable space. I remain, etc., G. GUNN.