THE YEARS BEYOND RECALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 9

THE YEARS BEYOND RECALL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Memory is a wonderful attribute. Coming to Hamilton as a small boy, when the first Borough Council was in office, I can yet picture, some of the peculiarities associated with, members of that august body—Colonel Dawson, Dr.' Beale and Messrs Vialou (Mayor), Gardiner, Coates, Cox, Gwynne, Gaudin, Hume, 'Potter. It is a feature that scarcely a direct descendant of that company is now a resident in the community. For a number of years the revenue of the borough did not exceed £6OO, the backbone being rates £320, hotel licenses £l6O, auctioneer's license £4O. By the extension of 'the boundaries in recent years to take in Erankton a fifth license fee has been added; but from an increase of population of 1200 to probably 18,000 — with an immense travelling public—the argument appears sound that the fee for a monopoly license should 1 be on a turnover basis.

The revenue of those primitive days appears insignificant alongside the considerable figures for 1934 (the last audited). , Here is evidence: General and special'rates (roughly) £60,000, licenses and fees (including auctioneers’, publicans’, building, motor drivers’, dangerous goods, kerbside pumps, amusement, vehicles, etc.) £4288, endowment rents £6lOl, miscellaneous (including £I3OO proportion motor spirit, tax) £2480, trading departments (gas, water, electricity, and insurance fund) ail show substantial profits, and are a constant reminder of the success of municipal enterprise—or monopoly.

If 'the revenue in 1877—and for many years later—appears primitive by comparison with to-day, the qualification of the voter was even more so. 'Ratepayers only voted, and it was possible for individual voters, to have as many as seven votes, according to the amount of rates paid. . Truly bricks and mortar then ruled. It was possible for a coterie of such voters to get together and arrange a council to their own liking—a regular family party concern. This had become such a .scandal that Premier Seddon, getting on for 40. years ago, used the hobnailed boots ancl introduced the major principles of 'to-day’s liberal franchise. Female franchise had materialised under his rule a year or two before. However, rents were so low and tiie accommodation so mediocre—a bathroom was a luxury, no water supply, no sewerage—that many persons in Hamilton failed to qualify as voters on the qualification ' of a yearly rental of £lO. 'Later the residential qualification was introduced. Those days were not the days of motor cars, radios and telephones. About this time Seddon had passed the Oldage Pensions Act and other social legislation, and had earned for his party the name of the “Seven Devils of Socialism.” On the eve of the passing of the Act I recollect an old pilgrim asking in anguish: “Are you sure this old-age pensions will pass? My old man, who is 72 years old, fainted at the gate to-night. He had been working at weeding carrots all day, l'or which he received 35.” To the surprise of almost everyone the Bill became law by a majority of eight votes. I can, even now, hear another Fourth Waikato .pioneer utter, as she planked down her first 30s monthly pension, “Please give mo the value of this in llanncl. I will make sure some warmth for my old bones this winter.” The argument of Die opposition was, “Roads and bridges will be robbed to .pay Hie pension.” Seddon’s reply was: “Wo think more of Hie people who walk on the roads.” 'l’lie promoters of the Hamilton gasworks were seeking a charter lo erect these works. The claims of municipal ownership 'were -beginning to be voiced. Premier Seddon took Ihe opportunity of inserting a clause that at the expiry of 12 years the municipality could acquire the works at cost price, plus an earning capacity of it) per cent, over lliat period. Mayor Bond (Mr J. R. Fow and myself were, councillors) at the expiry of the period gave notice io acquire Hie. works. It was considered £12,000 would lie ample, and also leave sufficient for extensions. The vendors took Hie mailer lo the Supreme Court, and then to the Court of Appeal, with no hotter-result. 1L was said one sporting member of Ihe gasworks monopoly suggested it would-be a good risk to; gamble on the Privy Council's ruling in England. The answer was against the New Zealand judges’ interpretation of their own Dominion Act, and the borough (with expenses) was called on lo pay nearly £30.000 more lha’n was anlicipaled. In more senses Ilian one Ibis burden has been a. severe handicap. For one 'thing, caution demanded the turning down by the borough of a lib era 1 offer from the Wailii Goh.liniiiing Company to .supply electricity from llora llora lie fore the Government, system was dreamed of. However, the misadventure over the i gasworks has been largely coupon-/ sated for by the handsome success of/ Ihe borough's insurance -scheme. Hid benefits from which are now being: fell, seeing a considerable fund levs been uccniiiulaleil, ulhei-s tnivu u/j----wells for tills generation. j

We have now arrived at another very sharp bend in the economic road. Evidence of quotas, restrictions, failing markets, and low prices are the cause of much uncertainty. (Mysterious changes are the daily panorama. A challenge to common sense, sound judgment, faith in the unseen, confidence and brotherhood are needed as much to-day as in the pioneering days recorded in this retrospect. Truly climbing the Mountain of Life is a puzzle.—l am, etc., JAS. E. TIDD. v Hamilton, April 29, 1935.