DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18347, 5 June 1931, Page 6

DAY BY DAY.

An impressive lead in the reduction of rates has been A Cut given by the MasterIn ton County Council, The Rates, whose rate demands

In the current year will total £19,000 against £27,000 last year—a decrease of almost 30 per cent. The general rate has been cut by 35 to 45 per cent., according to ridings. Herein is an answer to those municipal wiseacres who are fond of repeating that substantial savings cannot be made. A year or two ago Masterton County might have given the same hopeless answer. "It can’t be done," but under the spur of necessity it has been done. The result is that one of the heaviest items in overhead expenses has been much lightened and the relief thus afforded will doubtless be deeply appreciated by the farmer ratepayers. Householders and urban traders general l }’ are in almost as difficult a position as farmers, and local bodies, which throughout the Dominion are at present framing their annual estimates, should strive to emulate the example set by the Masterton County.

The political bond between Russia and Turkey has been

Turkey and Russia,

strengthened by a naval agreement whereby both Powers agree not to increase

their present naval strength in the Black Sea without giving six months’ notice of their intention to do so. The agreement, in itself unimportant, for neither Power possesses a formidable fleet in the Black Sea, is to be followed by a new trade agreement, which is expected to benefit both parties commercially. The treaties are significant as showing that despite incompatabllitles of aim the two Powers remain in alliance—in itself possibly a safeguard of peace in that area—and also that neither takes seriously the constant rumours from Moscow of naval building under the aegis of “British Imperialism” of Balkan States.