A WIDER SCOPE WANTED.

Northern Advocate, 7 August 1919, Page 3

A WIDER SCOPE WANTED.

Mr J. E. Holmes (Wihangarei Borough. Council) pointed out that it had been impressed upon them that no rate would be struck because the increased dues would meet the cost of the scheme. Therefore it was not out of order to discuss the dues. If they 4 found that the Is per.ton on coal, etc., would not meet the cost he took it there would have to be a rate.

Mr J. A. S. MacKay (president A. and P. Society) isupported Mr Mason's question as to whether they must confine themselves to the modified scheme. He did not see how , they could be confined entirely to the policy laid down by the board. The Bill stood for the whole scheme. The policy of the board with regard to the small scheme to .the town wharf was quite right. He did not oppose the Bill, but thought they should deal with the whole report of the board. As each section of the scheme was considered it would not be necessary to pass another Bill. They could proceed with each work as it became necessary. If they were to consider the Bill they should discuss all parts of the scheme—Whangarei, Kiorei'oa, Marsden Point and other works. It was not fair to confine the meeting to . the first work proposed by the"board.

The chairman explained that the Bill was proposed to enable the board to levy a rate to cover expense of improvement up to in the £. It iwjas not desirable to have a bill for each separate portion of the .work undertaken. If they passed a Bill to enable them to strike lid they might strike a rate of say Jd to show security when they raised the first portion "of the money and then could go on borrowing , until the ljd was exhausted. It was not (necessary to consider the Bill in connection with any particular part of the scheme. Until that Bill was passed they could not stir one peg. Without the Bill, they would have to wait until sufficient money accumulated from revenue, which was out of the question. They "must borrow to do the work. In reply to a question by Mr C. Stevens he said the harbour district included the whole of the Whangarei county witth the exception of VVaipu river district.