CONTRACT V. DAY LABOUR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 14

CONTRACT V. DAY LABOUR.

Sir, —It is very gratifying to me to be supported in my contention re the above by "Consulting Engineer" and others, I think the city engineer, when calling tenders, should prepare an estimate of the proposed work, seal it and hand it to the town clerk on (he day he calls tenders. This estimate should be opened only in the presence of the deciding councillors, together with tho tenders. It is not wise, in my opinion, for the council to do work of any magnitude by clay labour. One important reason is that when tenders are called the council knows its liability, which under day labour it does not. Secondly, under day labour, no one has any incentive to do the work cheaply. Thirdly, a contractor invariably pays better wages, and thereby attracts better tradesmen. Fourthly, working men prefer to work for contractors . and work better, as they know their efforts are generally appreciated by their employer, who competes against all comers. Ratepayer.

Sir, —The present style of work has resuited in the appalling municipal debts of our beloved country. It never seems to occyr to our sapient councillors or our legislators that this "borrowing orgy" should cease, or we shall be landed where the Australians are now. Councils should carry on and make expenditure balance income. In old New Zealand tf we could not afford a thing wo did without till wd could afford itj and kept out of debt. At present our rates and taxes are approximating a rent on our own freeholds, and yet the councils' are suggesting borrowing more. Witness the Mount Eden Borough Council \Vith their proposed borrowing of another-£135,000. These men are forcing another mortgage on the property of every Mount Eden resident, whether they will or not. Taxpayer.: