FIERY DENIAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 2, 25 August 1944, Page 5

FIERY DENIAL

COUNTY COUNCIL & AERODROME

CHAIRMAN'S REPLY TO CRITICS

BOROUGH INTERESTS & 'PRESS'

Following the third attempt by the Borough Council to persuade the County Council to interest itself in the formation of an Airport Board t the Mr J. L. at last Tuesday's meeting in a vigorous* reply to critics left no room to doubt the council's attitude in future. Mr Burnett severely criticised the 'prese' which he alleged -was posing as the mouthpiece of the ratepayers, and also did not mince matters with the Borough Council, certain members •of which he contended had at-i iempted to indulge in cheap criticism at the County's expense. We do not think there will be any further attempts to interest the council in an aerodrome ! Mr Burnett when discussing tliG "Borough Council's letter said that his Council had told the Borough before that it would not be a party to an Airport Board whilst it- was likely to be involved in any finan' cial responsibility. It was necessary to reiterate it again. From reports of the Borough Council meeting misleading statements had been made inferring that, the initial formation 'would not involve the Council in •any financial commitments. That "was incorrect. He had been care-, fully through the Act covering the formation of the Waikato Airport Board and from its constitution had discovered that it had full power •to acquire land and to raise loans. Jn that way all whe were, parties to an Airport Board would be committed to shouldering the cost of whatever was undertaken. "The Mayor spilled the beans," Avcnt on Mr Burnett "when he replied to one query 'Oh no; Ave. must ha\ r e the County in for its contribution.'" It was. obvious that they exy pect the County to help shoulder the cost. Mentioning the remarks made at the Borough Council table, Mr Burnett said that it did not enhance the reputation of any councillor to indulge in the cheap Avitticism or cynicism Avhich was recorded. It Avas not the way to seek co-operation to procede to criticise the people •who were expected to help. If any help Avcre required apart from financial assistance the County Avas there to assist but it needed no gratuitous .advice on the point of what it should do. County Viewpoint Mr Burnett, next went on to criticise the articles written under the .same heading appearing in the 'press.' Whakatane, he s.aid did observe the full freedom of the press but he would like to know since Avhen the press had become the mouthpiece of. the County ratepayers. When the Council wanted a:lA'ice from the press they Avould ask for it and not before. The opinion of the population of the town of Whakatane. did not represent the viewpoint of the country ratepay-j •ers. The Council did! Its members j had been elected to watch the interests of the ratepayers. It was their job to control their rates—to see in Avhich direction the money Avas. spent, and Avhether or not the Council had a substantial balance •or not was nothing to do Avith outsiders. "The Council will dispose of the money as it thinks fit," he said. "Not as. the people of this town and the press say it should." "It is quite incorrest to say that the Council is l opposed' to an Airport Board," said Mr Burneitt. "We all realise tha>t after the war } the main method) of transport will be by air. I say this to the Borough: If they •want assistance to form am Airport Board it will be freely givbut not from a financial viewpoint. We are determined on that. If they persist in asking for finance our attitude is closed. I think that explains the attitude of this Council and if any of you gentlemen (councillors) think it ist otherwise, I would like you to say so." Cr McCracken said he could endorse the chairman's remarks. He felt that the ratepayer Averes dc~ finitely opposed to being committed to any -taxation for the establishment of an aerodrome. Councillors Opinion Cr Butler: Well to tell you the truth, I have not contacted one ratepayer who thinks otherwise. Cr McGougan said that in view *of the Council's attitude with regard to hospital taxation it would be (Continued in next column)