THE LOAN PROPOSAL.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1414, 11 October 1923, Page 4

THE LOAN PROPOSAL.

To the Editor. Sir. —In your last issue you had a rather lengthy and, to my mind, unnecessary concoction of words under the caption of “Merely Grumblers.” While quite in favour of the loan personally, and trust same will be carried when a poll is taken, I consider the article referred to as uncalled for and not in good taste. Whether a man “grumbles” on the street corner or in the Council Chambers it must always be remembered that it is his hard earned cash which is going to make the loan possible in the shape of extra rates which he will be called upon to pay. One paragraph of the article states that “this loan proposal is of sufficient importance to demand close investigation.” Surely the fact that the loan is being discussed on “street corners” shows that the proposal is demanding close investigation by “merely grumblers,” and by exchanging views in this manner the whole proposal will be thoroughly investigated and perhaps as a result of these discussions the loan will be carried (or rejected) for “the future welfare and progress of the town.” Your suggestion “that men should deputationise the Borough Council and express their views in a constitutional way” is all very well, but how many men can get on their feet and address a Council without getting the wind up end forgetting what they came there for? 1 think a far better suggestion would be for Councillors to quietly push their way into these “street corner” meetings and listen for suggestions which may be useful, and also, if a statement is made contrary to fact, to put the “meeting” wise as to the true position. I am confident that by this means many useful suggestions will be picked up which'will be for the “future welfare and progress of the town.” There is no denying the fact that rates are too high in Te Awamutu, but better roads are absolutely necessary and the loan should not be rejected on this account. If tar-sealed roads are formed in a proper manner it will not be many months before; it will be possible for the Council to reduce the rates as a result of lower cost of maintenance. My way of looking at it is: I am paying big rates and have not as yet got a decent road past my property, so why not pay a few shillings a year more and get a good one? —! am. etc., RATEPAYER.