VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1935, Page 7

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

VIEWS ON CURRENT TOPICS

EGMONT COUNTY LOAN POSITION.

POINTS AT ISSUE DISCUSSED. ./

(To the Editor).

Sir,—There is the saying “that half a truth is worse than no truth at all.” So is it with your report on what I said regarding the loans conversion proposals of the Egmont County.. I am not opposed to conversion as I am equally as anxious to save the ratepayers of the county any interest as any other bouhcillor, but what I do object to is consolidation and conversion of all loans within the county as county loans. I am quite willing and have Had it embodied in a petition to . the Loans Board, that all pi esent county loans be ed as such and all special area or by* road special loans be converted as riding loans. There are many reasons why they should be converted on this basis, but the chief is that the south riding, of which I am a representative, if faced with a general county conversion for all loans instead of receiving a benefit from such, consolidatiori would annually have to pay over £2OO more than at tbe present time. This makes it quite apparent that if this be so then the Act’defeats its purpose inasmuch that although it may afford certain ratepayers in other ridings relief, yet it increases the burden of those in the south riding. ■ It could be said that this would also apply if these' area loans were converted upon a riding basis, and I say “grant-' ed” but the community of interest exists within the ridings and valuations .are proportionate. (I am fully conscious of this because I am a fairly large landholder in the central riding). . . Another statement in your report misquoted is my words' in respect to what steps I would , take if the loan was converted upon a county basis. I said that it may be expedient and right to call together all ratepayers who signed..’the petition, when possibly we could ask for a revaluation. In any case I would as- a private ratepayer put the ppsitidn before the - Minister. If we were Still unsuccessful and the loans were converted upon a_ county basis I thought that there was a case for outside the country, but regretted the fact that I was not-in a. position to take it to the Privy Council as I felt that it is a matter for the council to decide, (I realise very fully that it would cost much more than I could at present afford to do this; hence I modified my-remarks as I spoke). The points for the Privy Council would be these:.. Doer any right according to the British Constitution. exist, which enables a debt or loan raised by one section.'of ratepayers and spent solely for their benefit, and of which loan, they guaranteed both principal and interest, to be placed upen another section of ratepayers who had no power to object or approve of the raising of this money, and in the spending of which they.had no right, nor did they receive any benefit from- such expenditure?”-- ;

Personally I feel that this right does not exist, and that unless acceptance of such action is* voluntary by the ratepayers. no extra burden should be placed upon them. Apart from the unfair anomaly in this particular case there is the principle of responsibility involved, and as a councillor and ratepayer I have a duty and right to see that we are not . made victims of a legal" anomaly .which permits a council to do this.—l am, etc., ■ J. S. TOSLAND. Pihama, April 10. EGMONT COUNTY AFFAIRS. (To the Editor). Sir,—ln to-day’s issue of the Daily News I note that “Ratepayer,” Pihama, comments on the council failing to agree on the loan conversion proposals. For the benefit of “Ratepayer” I would like to point out that the member for Pihama will insist that the minority' shall rule at the council table on this matter. About twelve ■ months ' ago the council, on a majority vote, decided that in con- ’ verting their loans; all loans including special area loans should be spread over the whole county. This did not meet with the approval of , the south riding members, so with the Pihama member- as their leader, they, called a ‘meeting of the south riding ratepayers and decided to send a petition to the Loans Board objecting to the* council’s proposal. At the same time: they requested that the special area loans should be spread overthe ridings they were raised in. Thus the delay in-finalising the loans conversion. We are still awaiting the decision of the Loans Board on which proposal they are going to accept—l am, etc., .. A. J. LILLEY, v Warea, April 9. WEST END SCHOOL JERSEYS. \ (To the Editor), Sir,—ln your columns this morning it is reported that the committee adopted a design of football jersey submitted by Mr. Barnes, the first assistant—a design similar to that of the Clifton Club but, of course,; in the school colours. Now this particular design is the ugliest type of jersey perpetrated in New Zealand, and on the field it’ gives one outstanding impression—that its wearers jure all badly .found shouldered. ' May one ask the .school committee to be. at least artistic. What is wrong with simple hoops of grey, and red and grey socks?—l am, PARENT OF THREE RUGBY PLAYERS. New Plymouth, April 11. EPSTEIN’S STATUE OF CHRIST. (To the Editor). Sir,—ln your issue of Tuesday, April 9, appeared a picture of Epstein’s statue of Christ, and a more hideous and unChristlike invention it would be hard to imagine. lam sure all real Cliristians will agree that it is an insult to the beautiful Christ to create such a repulsive looking thing in His name. Epstein would do well to study a beautiful life-like picture of Christ which was published in a Christian magazine a few days ago, and in which the look of intense love and happiness on the beautiful face would stir the heart of the most stubborn atheist—l am, etc., LOVER OF CHRIST. Stratford, April 11.