PETONE BOROUGH AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 8

PETONE BOROUGH AFFAIRS

MEETING OP THE COUNCIL. The Mayor (Mr. .T. W. MUwan) pr<v sided over the meeting of tho Petonc Ilorough Council held last evening, '['hero were present:—Councillors C. I'. iirocklcbank, W. Cox, J. Cburchouse, ,1. Kyle, W. Ifay, A. Anderson, I). Bedinglield, G. Cook, and E. Tovey. Jlr. 11'. Northorer, n local resident, having presented the Petons Council with a number of stuffed New Zealand birds fov the local museum, was thanked for his £ii't. It was stated that Mr. Northover took a great deal of interest iu tho education of t.ho young people of tho borough, and had at various times prosen ted to tho museum stuffed birds and reptiles. With rospect to "cleaning-up week," the borough" inspector suggested that tho borough lie divided into four, and a spccialdray be put on to pick up everything that may be brought, out to the footpath. After considerable discussion on the subject if, was decided to givo effect to tha inspector's suggffltions.

A letter was received from the Wonlstoa Borough Council asking for approval to a resolution declaring that tho only solution of the coal problem was public ownership and control of the mining, transportation, and distribution of coil, with adequate representation of the workers on the Board of Control.

Councillor Cburchouse, in suggesting that support should be given to the resolution, said that Labour and Capital wero so well organised that the industries of the country were being continually hold up. He "believed the only solution of the problem was tho nationalisation of the industries of the Dominion. The Mayor was of opinion that, it was a big order to acquire all the coal mines in Now Zealand. Councillor Cook said that it had been proved that State-owned industries were not as well controlled as private concerns. The State coal mine did not pay nny more than privately-owned mines did. The Government expcrionced strikes and hold-ujis, aild while he was not opposed to nationalisation he <lid not think the community would bo any better off for it. Councillor Anderson said that tho residents of Pctono were able to purchase State coal at 2s. 6d. per cwt., while It could not bo purchased from a private firm for less than is. 6d. Tho Mayor stated that the proposal to pay tho mine owners 5J per cent, for the mines was not in accordance with fho platform of the Socialists. True Socialism .advocated tho expropriation of ail mines, which prncticnllv meant that every penny of capital invested would be confiscated. "Tn that case,'" observed Councillor Cook, "this council should acquire a mine for itself." The Jfayor added that every man was a capitalist, and it was only a question of degreo whether ho Jiad a shilling or was tho owner of a million pounds. The motion was carried.

■ A deputation from tiie £cntral Bowling Club waited upon the council with respect to the leasing of the council's bowl, ing green. Originally the club offered to lease the green and undertake the upkeep. Later it was found that the club could not carry out tills offer owing to the small number of members, and made another offer to pay tho council a rental oqual to 255. per member, with a minimum of .£SO. the council to undertake tho upkeep of tho green. The council accepted tho amended offer, the "Reserves Committee to nrrange tha details.