MOUNT EDEN CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21480, 2 May 1933, Page 11

MOUNT EDEN CONTEST

REDUCTION IN RATES PROMISE BY MR. McNAB FINANCES DISCUSSED At a well-attended meeting held last evening, by Mr. T. McNab and his supporters at the Oddfellows' Hall, Carmen Road, Mr. McNab appealed to the electors of Mount Eden for their support for himself and his "ticket." He said the new candidates were especially qualified to act as councillors, all being well known and old residents of the borough, and the Legal and Finance Committee would be greatly strengthened. Every jTart of the borough was represented on the ticket. In dealing with finance, Mr. McNab said the control of the borough finances during the past two years had been a very difficult task, but the result was a sufficient reward. The finances of the borough were now in a very satisfactory condition, all accounts had been paid, and ho looked to the future with satisfaction and optimism. Sufficient money at 2 per cent under bank rates had been secured to finance the borough for the next year, and this would mean a considerable saving. "I can definitely confirm the promise made at all my previous meetings," said Mr. McNab, ."that the rates will bo reduced by at least 8d in the pound. This means a saving of approximately £2 a year to the average ratepayer. If it is possible to reduce the rates by a greater amount than 8d we will do so. We recognise that many people are finding it very difficult to pay their rates and carry on, and we consider it is the duty of any council accepting office at the present time to reduce the rates and lighten the burden of the ratepayers as much as possible."

Referring to the amalgamation, Mr. McNab said the City Council had offered terms for amalgamation which had been definitely rejected by the electors. As far as he and his council were concerned, the decision was final and he would not be a party to any further proceedings for amalgamation. The revaluation of the whole borough would be made this year, and ratepayers would have an opportunity of objecting to the valuations of their properties and obtaining substantial reductions in cases where values and rents had fallen. Referring to savings made by the council, Mr. McNab said that for the year 1930-31, the year before his council took office, the cost of salaries, traffic, sanitation, refuse collection, street lighting, wages and office expenses, parks, fire brigade and scavenging, amounted to £14,777. For the year just ended, 1932-1933, the total cost for these services was only £8994, a saving of £5783. Mr. McNab said that when elected two years ago the- council had the assistance of the Mount Eden Ratepayers and Householders' Association, but after the election the association endeavoured to dictate the policy to be adopted by the council and which firms were to receive the borough's contracts. As he considered he was responsible to the electors and not to the Ratepayers' Association, he refused to be dictated to, and that was the principal cause of the opposition now organised by the association.

A motion was carried without dissent agreeing to support Mr. McNab and his "ticket."