MUNICIPAL PROJECTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4137, 27 August 1900, Page 4

MUNICIPAL PROJECTS.

It lias been observed that in the theory j ] and art of city-making, the idea of col-i ; Icctivism has a largo and growing place. » The conviction .is spreading among the ] burgesses of our chief towns that all j works of public utility, especially those , which, on account ot their magnitude, necessitate concerted action, ought to bo placed in the hands of the- local govern- ' ihg authority. All undertakings in the nature of monopolies may also rightly be claimed as lit subjects for municipal control. It is now readily admitted that it would .be impossible for each individual ratepayer to carry out an efficient drainage system for hiiuccu. Qther examples such as gas lighting, water supply and removal of refuse will suggest tlieihsclvc!* to readers. Wo may conclude that the.truesphere of municipal activity -is hit tho municipalisation or absorptioh--of all; those services which the community ’ through its governing body can .do better tjian the .private individual. It is perhaps natural that tho “old school” should regard developments in. these, directions with , ascertain amount‘of misgiving. In this city many ratepayers view with grave apprehension the • expansion of' the functions of the City; Council, especially since the franchise has. been given a, broader and more liberal basis. ■ ,Sb Jong, .however, as the “power of tho purse” is in the hands of the .■ratepaying/burgesses,- wo need not anticipate any disaster befalling the .city' through municipalactivity within tho . region of collectivism. That' there ' arc dangers -hi tho path of municipalising public services' cannot bo denied. That sonic munipipalities, actuated by a desire for popularity, have depleted (bo corporation ■ exenequor to provide work at-high rates for needy and unemployed persons is not disputed. ‘ . And; now_ ’that- Wellington has, embarked , upon an- enterprise oy . which the number-.-of ■ her 1 employees will bo quadrupled, it will be necessary for City Councillors to guard against' the temptation to increase their popularity, by giving, .such , ■ advantages' in hours and wages as are not to be found in private employment. That the remuneration of 'corporation i employees should bo rtdqquat.e is’essential; that , their hours of labour should bo -reasonable .-is .'likewise desirable; but if tho corporation- goes, beyond this; it- may be regarded -as entering upon a course that, will ,lrb,'disastrous 'to, its! iuulor- . takings and ruinous to tiro municipality itself. -There is another danger in muni- . eipalisatiouito' which: allusion might be niadci. •' If the 'undertakings .of a city ; become numerous/and' Complex,.' their

pro pur control' might,’ become too . great for the- oversight iof elected > councillors, and: the entire control would gradually fall into ' the’ hands, of ’ permanent 'officials; • This, t,o ii greater' or less degree, is almost-bpund to-ensue ; therefore it becomes essential’ to ’the efficient government of local - affairs that men of ability, fmd' pr'qctieal training should be chosen by ; the, ratepayers. and - residential, burgesses,,to. manage, 'their affairs. If 5 however, ,tho city of ■'’Wellington is to keep’ abreast of the times and retain jts place as the cliief city in the colony,'it must not lag behind in municipal . progress. .and, development. Tim trend" of civic government' is towards enlargement,i and the absorption of re-venue-raising undertakings. The principle of common-property under public management is everywhere .receiving a wider application among- municipalities than* ever--before.'" As- a'-community increases in numbers arid wealth, its demands' for greater " public -.conveniences grow apace. !•.-Thus arc may find that; when -Wellington’s--.population doubles, the projects" which prudence’ridw urges should bop .delayed ’ will ‘bo readily acquiesced in. ' Citizens, generally, ; ami ratepayers in (.(particular*. ■ should never lose.-sight oft the-’-ultimate ideal of city' life, 'when, through the munic’ipalisalion of revenue producing , -updcytaldugs, rates and taxes, will. bp lessened, and possibly.: entirely j extinguished.). .There is no' reason- why .this- 'em! -should not bo ‘attained; ’To-day there' is not .a city’in Groat Britain pf auy .jitagnitudo but Jus Its'ratciJ reduced,'in some cases by, as much.,a,s . - two-' .shillings. in a the pound, as the result’ ot its municipal projects. \ Ratepayers .will in sanctioning loans to embark bn public enterprises be? governed by .the question, Will it pay ?, And -while- that considcra-. tiou is--essential.to -success, it must not bo forgotten that cities arc everywhere becoming -more; and more conscious ol their .organic entity. , .They 'have been practically passive >iu the past as social organisms’, '-but' -a -new life 'has’ entered into their being, and, new functions ’and projects; have, booji , assumed. While there is a commercial side to these proje'ets, they involve 'a quickening of- the mpral: responsibilities; of • rimnipinalities. Municipal enlightenment-is"giving a ctenial to the assertion.-that.,the evils ■of --Uims and 'insanitary conditions* are inevitable to city life by the destruction ofs unhealthy dwellings, the widening of streets,’ the’ establishment' of baths and places of public recreation. It is by thje carrying out of such < municipal projects -that residence' in Wellington can' be made wholesome’and desirable, and wo ’ are pleased to, note .that the present Council, backed by the approval oft the ratepayers, is prepared to effect such reforms as will conduce to improved conditions. -