THE WINTER GARDEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 97, 23 March 1940, Page 6

THE WINTER GARDEN.

(To the Editor.) Sir,- —I see that the City Council has decided to make a winter garden as a Centennial memorial. This makes me wonder whether the members of tlie council have realised that the British Empire, of which Palmerston North is a part, though a very small one, is fighting for its very existence. Under the circumstances the council lias no moral right to spend the money of the ratepayers on anything that is not absolutely necessary. Not only has the first cost to be considered, but the upkeep of a winter garden will be a further charge on the ratepayers, who are already overburdened by* the highest taxes on record and by the rising cost of living, both of which are sure to he heavily increased. We have got on very well without a winter garden, and there is no justification for proceeding with the scheme at such a time as the present. It will he time enough when the Allies have won the war. Like the Government, the City Council does not seem to know the meaning of the word “economy.” Since the council mot, the warning of the Prime Minister of Australia has been published in the papers. He warned Australians that they must pull their weight in this war, and lie prepared to tighten their Ik? Its and suffer individual loss and inconvenience—and oven ruin in some cases. What lie says applies equally to New Zealand, and though we all hope for more favourable results, it is the duty of the Government and all public bodies to set- the example of strict economv. —I am. etc.. OVERBURDENED R ATERAYER-