CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17384, 21 April 1928, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH MAYOR.

WOULD LIKE TO BE DICTATOR. The philosophy of ratepaying received a little attention from the Mayor of Christchurch (Rev. J. K. Archer) at the opening of the new Linwood Avenue School. This was provoked by the chairman of the School Committee (Mr L. Vernazoni), who referred to the rates in his remarks, and then added, in a smiling aside, "Which are pretty high, Your Worship." "I've some strong ideas on rates and ratepayers," said Mr Archer. "I am not a wowser, and I am prepared to practise what I preach. No one should squeal about the rates while he has money to spend on beer, tobacco, and horse racing. While a man can get money for those extravagances he should have no complaints to make when he has to put his hand in his pocket to help pay for the upkeep of the city. • "I myself am prepared to pay my rates, and discharge all my obligations before I spend a penny upon myself. If everyone worked on that principle we should get all the rates, and not take more than a third of anyone's 'extravagance money.' Take, for instance, the improvements in the theatres that are taking place, and the new theatres that are being put up. You may depend that the proprietors are not doing it for charity. It is t.ic ratepayers who will pay for it indirectly. Education Very Necessary. "Education is a very necessary thing, and the school libraries and playgrounds are not less necessary for the well-being of the children, and we should be prepared to pay for these tilings before spending money on pleasure. "I sometimes wish that I was a member of the Education Board," Mr Archer continued. "I have been Mayor of this city, and I have a year to go. Next time, I would like to be standing for a position as dictator of the town. When the Education Board want a thing they do it, and the people have to pay. I am afraid that if a poll of ratepayers had been taken to decide whether or not this school was to be built it would not have been erected. That is the position the City Council are in. "If I were dictator, and I thought that a thing was for the general good, I'd put my scheme through, and the people would have to pay for it. That is what the Education Board are able to do, and that is why this school is here."