RURAL HOUSING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 224, 11 October 1940, Page 4

RURAL HOUSING

Sir, —As a ratepayer of many years standing I desire to thank and con- . gratulate Councillor McGready on . the very firm and straightforward Vctionv he has taken in the matter of the proposed Rural Housing Sch- , eme. I also thank and congratulate* Mr Chairman Burnett on his very lucid explanation of . the scheme. When Mr Burnett had given his explanation the scheme stood out in all its unfairness and injustice. - Mr Burnett also made astounding and disquieting revelations, his statement that.-the "pre-" sent' staff would be able to handle the scheme leaves; the ratepayers . . staggered at the over-staffed' state in force. Why is there not a drastic combing out and-'reduction -of the . staff? - ' Anyone would give a great' deal of time and thought before pledging their holding in order that a, rela- - tive or friend might build a house dn their property. That, a body of trusted men propose to pledge it for us, .fills us with grave doubts as to their ability to serve the i'nter-< - ests of the ratepayers. De-rating has long been, overdue, that • the County Councillors are , endeavouring to pilaster the rate-racked farming community further is bitterly resented, as the recent indignation - v meetings clearly show. . ~ ' The word Co-operation has been - . vastly over-worked in connection with this dirty Is a. . more appropriate and correct word to use. Had the Councillors despatched to the Government an answer couchcd on the following terms they would still retain,the respect and confidence of the rate-, payers. As trusted men of honour ancl "integrity we cannot connive, with you. in your scheme to pledge property not belonging to us, To , do so would be to brand ourselves as traitors to .our electors. • i If the Chairman has not made the now widely circulated statement attributed to him, then he is a much r nlaligined man and has my warm- 1 - 5 est sympathy. If he did make the statement then- I consider there-is only, one course open to him resignation. Yours etc., ■ SARAH FRANKLAND.V