Public Opinion

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 291, 9 December 1939, Page 6

Public Opinion

THE LATE DUCHESS OF ARGYLL Sir,- The late Duchess married the Marquis of Lome, who sat in Parliament for a Division of Manchester. He was afterwards Governor-General of Canada. He never was in any Ministry. His father, the eighth Duke, u-as in Gladstone’s Cabinet in 1852-55. J.D. "BOOST CLUB FOR WANGANUI" Sii.—l agree with the DeputyMayor, Cr. Scott, in his advocacy for some organisation to boost Wanganui, but why he should pick on me to lead, I fail to understand. For the past 20 years 1 have been veiy much in the public eye as an advocate for which I considered as the salvation of Wanganui, namely more people on the rural land or more industries in the city. Mv efforts have not been very successful as instanced by the trend of the financial position. I have been on the City Council since 1927 and have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to awaken the people of Wanganui to the fact that a drift exists which, if not stayed, will

end in submersion. With reference to industries, the Chamber of Commerce has done valiant work in this direction without avail. We frequently read the advice of anonymous writers suggesting that local bodies should do this apd that; they do not grasp the position, 1 know for a fact that the local bodies have in the past and will, in the future, give every possible assistance ;to persons establishing industries in our midst. No sir, there is a greater reason than want of assistance by local bodies. I do not want to decry our beautiful city, but I do say lhai geography is against u«. Another reason is the shape of Wanganui, which is, since 1 joined the council, responsible for a reduction of unimproved valuation from £2,976.000 to £1,228,00(1 and during the same period all income accounts with the exception*of Aramoho Park and the dog tax, show a serious decline, and there is a more potent reason but 1 prefer to let others more interested than I go into that phase of retrogression. In the face ot these facts it is a difficult, matter tr boost; values have of late decreased m an alarming manner. Facts speak louder than words. I would that Wanganui was booming. I am grateful tn Cr. Scott for his kindly opinion of my abi lit \. 1 am, etc., J. SI DDELLS.