The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1885. THE TIMARU BREAKWATER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1414, 5 November 1885, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1885. THE TIMARU BREAKWATER.

On next Saturday the people of this district will be given an opportunity of voting for or against the proposal to borrow LIOO,OOO to continue the construction of the Timaru Breakwater. We do not suppose that it is necessary for us to add anything to what has already been advanced in favor of this proposal. Every one knows the importance of the work, how useful it is, and how disastrous it would be to the whole of South Canterbury to allow it to remain m its present unfinished condition, and we anticipate that very few will vote against it. It is not a matter in which only a class has an interest ; it will not benefit one particular locality more than another ; every person who has built bis home in South Canterbury ' must be interested in it. We have heard it slated that it would only benefit tha town of Timarn, while the rural districts would be called upon to pay the rates. We who used that argument know better, and did not mean what he said, and we have very little doubt but that he will vote for the loan. Although we do not think that there is in the district any one who would be misled by such a statement, still it cannot do much harm to point out how fallacious it is. Timaru will undoubtedly be greatly benefited, and we trust no will regret it. We should like to see Timarn ten times more prosperous and populous than it is, for then there would be a good market for the products of this district. The richer and more populous the town of Timaru becomes the better for the country districts. But we doubt whether Timaru wid be as much benefited as the country districts. First of all, if Timaru merchants can import goods cheaper than at present their customers in the rural districts will get the benefit of it by getting cheaper goods, But this is a small matter compared with the other benefits which owxiers of property must derive from having a good harbor. Mr Lee said it would increase the value or wool by 4« per bale, and we have heard it stated that it would raise the price of grain by fourpence per bushel. Now anything that can do these things must increase the value of property, and so every one who owns property must be benefited. As regards a sliding scale of rating, which many advocate, we may say that to consider that point is too late at present. There is in existence at present a sliding scale. If an acre of land is valued at LIOOO in Timaru, and at I'emuka the same area is set down •s worth only LIOO, it means that the acre in Timaru must pay ten limes more rates than the acre in Temuka. The same rule will apply to the whole district, and thns it will be seen that the sliding scale already exists. Whatever way it is looked at it must be admitted to be “ fair and square ” and extremely well calculated to advance the interests of the people as a whole. But it is unnecessary to dwell at greater length on this point. The people aa a whole are in favor of the loan, and very few, if any, are opposed to it. There is one danger, however. Those who are conscientiously opposed to it will undoubtedly vote ; while those who are in favor of it may possibly think it so safe that they may neglect to do so. This is the danger to which we refer, and we trust the friends of the proposal will see that it is a serious one. Let them remember that a mere majority of those who go to the poll will not do. There must be 25 per cent in favor of it more than there are against it. Tha meaning of this is that if 1000 persons vote against it, 1250 persons must vote for it, otherwise it will not be got. Another thing is, persons will have votes according to the amount of property they possess ; some persons will hare as many as five votes, and thus a few large property owners would not be long in turning the scales. It behoves every man who is in favor of the propoial to record his vote, for, though we hear of no opposition to it, no one knows what may turn up. We therefore ask our readers to keep next Saturday in mind, and to give their votes in favor of the proposal.