THE £54,000 LOAN.

Northland Age, Volume 16, Issue 16, 9 January 1919, Page 5

THE £54,000 LOAN.

Dealing with the above question at the recent meeting of the Mangonui County Council, Cr. Houston said that during his visit to Wellington he had interviewed Sir William Frazer in company with Mr. Vernon Reed, M.P. Sir William had stated that he was entirely in favour of the proposals put forward for the construction of good roads, and if the Northern people had been prepared to help themselves years ago their roads would not be in the condition they were in to-day. The question of the amount of subsidy was one that was too big for him to deal with. The Mangonui County were asking for the largest sum yet borrowed by a district in New Zealand, and other councils would probably follow in their footsteps involving heavy demands on the treasury. However, he would put the proposal for a £ for £ subsidy before Cabinet with his strong recommendation, as the general acceptance of this principle would ultimately relieve the Government of the burden of small grants. The Public Trustee had informed them that he had half a million pounds to find before December, 1919. However, he thought that he would be able to meet the Council’s request for instalments of probably £9OOO per year. He also agreed to take back and credit any sums paid off the loan when the certificates were redeemed. Continuing, Cr. Houston protested against the methods adopted by the Chamber of Commerce in putting their proposals before the ratepayers as these would have to be modified. They should not have taken any steps until they had got down to a concrete proposal, the consent of the Minister obtained, and the money secured. He had never worked against the £54,000 loan, what he objected to were the methods adopted in its promulgation. Cr. Long said that it must be acknowledged that the conception and launching of this progressive scheme by the Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce had done an immense amount of good. All schemes had to be altered and modified in their details, but this presented no difficulty. He had no doubt whatever that when the ratepayers went to the poll they would support it. The lead given to the Council by the Chamber of Commerce had been of the utmost value, and they would not have reached the present satisfactory stage had the matter not been pushed by the promoters with such great enthusiasm.

Cr. Houston said that he did not agree, the consent of the Minister shouldhave been secured before taking action.

Cr. Long said that the Chamber of Commerce had rendered invaluable assistance to the Council by inspiring them with such a splendid idea, and with having educated the ratepayers to the necessity for good roads. Let the Council go ahead and draft the final scheme and put it before the ratepayers when he was sure that it would be accepted. Cr. Garton said that the work done had justified the Council in taking the poll. Cr. Panther said that they must all admit that the scheme originated and was propounded by the Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce. The promoters had toured the whole district and made it quite clear that their scheme was a suggestion which could be altered in its details to meet any situation which might arise. Anybody who did not understand this was very dense indeed. He had attended some of the meetings and there had been no misrepresentation whatever. The good work done in connection with good roads by the Kaitaia Chamber of Commerce would always stand to their credit and when any good scheme was brought forward by the Chamber in the future the Council should accept it and work in unity. Coutinuing, Cr. Panther said that the Chairman should have tabled his report on his visit to Taranaki and the information collected with regard to good roads before the annual meeting. This report contained information

which would have enabled Councillors to vote intelligently when the Chairman was elected, and he personally was not prepared to take a leap in the dark not knowing the Chairman’s attitude towards the good roads scheme. The feeling existed generally, that Cr. Houston was against the roading scheme and he saw difficulties ahead if Cr. Houston took the platform in advocacy of the £54.000 loan. The first question which would be put to him was how long it was since he became a convert ? The minutes would show that if Cr. Houston’s various motions had been carried the scheme would have been killed. Finally it was only saved by the vote of Cr. H. B. Matthews who had in the meantime been converted and who had reversed his vote. Their Chairman should be prepared to advocate the good and progressive scheme heart and soul.

Cr. Long said that he was pleased to hear Cr. Houston explain that he was not against the good roads scheme. The proposals had now reached that stagq wEen they could be put before the ratepayers and they should all let by-gones be bygones, run in harmony and push this splendid scheme along. He now felt sure that their Chairman would put his heart into a scheme that meant so much to the district. If he did so he would have the full support of the Council and ratepayers. He congratulated him on the report on his visit to Taranaki and trusted that there would not be any more bickering, but that they should all pull together and accomplish a scheme which he was sure would be a credit to all. Cr. H. B. Matthews said that he considered that the Chairman’s action in advocating a County scheme was to be commended. Unfortunately the vote on the £B,OOO loan at the eastern end had complicated things and caused disruption. Cr. Long said that the progressive people in the Western Area did not want to be hampered by the retrogressive people in,the Eastern area. Those situated over the line of demarcation would ultimately see the value of good roads and help themselves as the Western people had done.

Cr. Garton said that the reason that a large number of his ratepayers voted against the £B,OOO loan was that they thought that it was a tin-pot one. Cr. Panther said that the trouble was that a number of the ratepayers had no confidence in the Council’s ability to carry out the work properly. Cr. L. J. Matthews thought that the Chairman’s position had been consistent. The Chamber of Commerce had bullied the Council and expressed the opinion “ that the Councillors should have some oxygen pumped into them.” The whole scheme should have been worked out and put before the ratepayers by the Council.

Cr. Garton said that he did not believe that Cr. Houston was against the good roads scheme or £54,000 loan. The scheme was not conceived by the Holy Ghost, but in the interests of the Kaitaia Dairy Co. who wanted good roads to enable them to produce Dried Milk. In setting up the Western Special Rating Area the promoters had grabbed the yoke out of the egg. He would liked to have seen a County scheme.

Cr. Houston said that he could not let Cr. Panther’s remarks with regard to the way he had voted pass unchallenged.

Cr. Panther : Look at the minutes and see how you supported the roading schemes.

Cr. Houston continuing asked what right had the Chamber of Commerce to dictate to the Council and make uncomplimentary remarks about it ? Morpeth and himself had to resign from the Chamber of Commerce because it was run by one man, the President. Had he not resigned from the Chamber he would have had to resign from the Council. The Chamber of Commerce had no right to take the action which they did. When questioned by

the Public Trustee in Wellington with regard to the loan proposals he had to sit like a fool and say nothing. There was a right and a wrong way of doing things and the Chamber had taken the wrong Cr. Panther: The wrong way often succeeds as it has apparent’y done in this case where the Council had originally failed. Cr. Houston: The Chamber of Commerce had no right or authority to put a proposal before the ratepayers. He, himself, was not against the £54,000 but he had been misrepresented in the Press and at the Herekino meeting. In his position as Chairman it was now his duty to go round the area and advocate the £54,000 loan and he could assure them that no fault would be found with his attitude. Cr. Panther said that if Cr. Houston had given them that assurance before the election of Chairman he would not have voted against him. Cr. Houston said that he could not get up and address the Council. Cr. Panther said that he had secured the consent of the Chair for Cr. Houston to state his attitude. Cr. Houston said that Cr. Panther was quite out of order in asking him to state his policy. However, he would do his level best to secure the support of ratepayers for the £54,000 loan. I the Chamber of Commerce wanted to do any good they should come forward then. Cr. Long : Will you now invite them to assist ? Cr. Houston: Certainly. Cr. Long : Then I believe they will be our greatest help in geting the loan carried. Cr. L. J. Matthews concurred. Cr. Long : As reflections have been cast on the work done by the Chamber of Commerce and the President of that body is present as a matter of courtesy and equity he should be invited to speak. The invitation was not forthcoming and the discussion then lapsed.