MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15557, 6 March 1911, Page 9

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

VO THE EDITOR. Sir,-—l have been reading all that has appeared in your paper with reference to the coming election, both in connection with the liberalising of the franchise and the proposals put forward. Tho programme of reiorms as published by the different candidates who have made known their views does not cover many matters which I venture to think should be given attention by the new Council. I am aware that T have not been called upon to express an opinion, but as l have for many years token a good deal of interest in local government matters, I do not think that anyone can reasonably take exception. Tho proposal for a quarry owned and worked by the Council has been before the doctors for many years. It seems to me that to make a success of the venture it should be connected with our tramway system, and I understand that the Tramway Board has made an offer lor joint ownership. The proposal, 1 think, is a good one, as the quarry would supply the needs of both the Council and tho Board. The pay and conditions of the niuni-

cipal employees should be improved. Men working in the railway ballasting gangs receive 9s a day. 1 tlnnk the Council’s permanent hands should bo omployed bv tho week and be paid oUs for a week’s work of forty-four hours, thus providing for a weekly halt holiday. I also think that, as is the practice of a large number of private /ms, an annual holiday of a week should be granted. . , Tho municipal Councils should take advantage of their powers and establish a superannuation fund, or, what I think would bo better still, insure their employees under the Government National Provident Fund scheme, and give a subsidy towards the contributions. Iho provident fund provides for a pension of 10s, 20s, 30s or 40s a week at sixty years of age. according to amount of the contribution paid. It also provides for sick pay in case of a prolonged illness, and 7s 6d a week for oach child under fourteen; and. in the event of death, for a payment of 7s 6d a week to tlie widow and 7s 6d a week for each child up to fourteen years of ago. These benefits apply after five years, but after one year up to £6 is paid towards the expenses of the birtli of each child.

Public reading rooms should be provided in several parts of the city, such as Addington, Richmond and Ferry Road, in the neighbourhood of Milson’s Hoad. A good site would be in the Council’s works yard. As Canterbury College has been compelled to increase the annual library subscription, tho Council should make some grant towards the cost of tho circulating department, so as to make it possible to reduce tlie subscription. The College provides a large public reading room and the reference library free to the public. The policy of a Greater Christchurch should be preserved.

Tlie sowago. rato should lie collected on the basis of the land value of each property. It E at present collected on tho basis of tlie capital value, which means that houses, outbuildings and other improvements standing upon the land are taxed. By collecting tho sowage rate on the basis of the land value, all improvements would bo exempted from taxation. By-laws should bo made fixing a minimum area and frontage for building sites for dwellings in all residential areas outside the business parts of the city. Tlie whole of tho plantation reserves owned by the city on tho sand-hills should bo planted with trees suitable for firewood, and thus made to assist in providing firing for the increasing population of the city. The acouisition of a few acres of land at tlie Hack)borne Road tram terminus, as Victoria Park is a mile away, would, l feel sure, be much appreciated bv the public.—l am, etc., H. G. ELL.