MERGER WITH THE CITY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 61, 5 December 1919, Page 2

MERGER WITH THE CITY

MORI'S POSITION

SPECIAL MEETING LAST NIGHT

A publio mooting callcd by the Progressive Party at Kgrori to consider tho question of amalgamation with the city was held last evoking in tho Methodist schoolroom. Mr. A. M'Kenzie presided, and in opening the meeting said it was callcd by tho Progressive quartet ia tho council, who promised that such a meeting would be held before a poll was taken hn tho proposal for amalgamation with tho city. Councillor J. Caughley said that when they uniertook the task of pushing forward tho proposal for amalgamation they thought tliey had better carry it right through. There were previously threo parties on tho question. One party was wholly indifferent, another wanted amalgamation on terms, and there was a third party that .wanted amalgamation without any tonus. Tho two latter war® able to como togother owing to tho City Council's decision to consolidate tho tramway loans. But even without this ho believed that amalgamation' would- bo carried. The other party was hopelessly opposed to amalgamation, and that party contended that'lvarori could do without water and drainago for the next ten years. Two proposals were put before the city, but they were both turned down. Then there wa6 tho question of assets, but it was stupid to speak of valuable assets when the liabilities wero in excess of the assets. Tho borough assets were about .£75,000 and the liabilities were .-090,000. The city had shown its good will by offering to pool tho tramway lean. Ivarori would have had to pay interest on its spccial loans, and the general rate would have been paid to tho city. The city had since shown that it was prepared to make a concession as to tho pooling of the loans. That offer was not a question of terms or conditions, but a concession. At present they had doublo administration charges in respect to tramways, and tho city charged Karori mileage which was probably more than the actual Co6t, but under amalgamation there would bo the advantage of saving tho double administration charges and moro economical management would probably result in a small profit, or at least there would be no loss. He wanted to see the proposal carried by a largo majority, and lie urged everyone to vote.. Amalgamation would mean water, drainago and gas, although these conveniences might not be obtained immediately. They would- probably get a cheaper tram service and a shorter route. Councillor J. Burns traced the ■ history of tho amalgamation proposal and contended that to the Progressive Party was due the credit of forcing the schemo forward, and tho fact tliat a poll was to be. held next Wednesday. Councillors P. F. Laurenson and L. (J. Porter also spoke in favour of amalgamation. , Councillor .T. Henderson explained why he left the Progressive Party. He said he was returned at tho head of the poll to exercise his own judgment, and that lie was right was proved by tho. fact that they did get a concession from tho city.