MAYORAL ELECTION.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 606, 11 February 1921, Page 5

MAYORAL ELECTION.

(To the Editor). Sir,—l read -the account of the special meeting of the Chamber of and noted the remarks made by the president (Mr. Webster) re his writing our worthy Mayor on the matter of loans. Does not Mr. Webster give our Mayor and councillors credit for a little intelligence; the majority who voted to place them there evidently had confidence in their ability. If Mr. Webster knows so much about finance, why did he not advise the Mayor where all this money was to be obtained. As a matter of fact, he assisted him in no way whatever. And it would also be interestng to know exactly how much he and his fellow members of the Chamber have subscribed towards this loan. Municipal bodies from the North Cape to the Bluff are in the same position as Pukekohe and likely to remain so. Our astute member for Franklin, the Prime Minister, experienced great di culty in floating his loans for-war reconstruction purposes, with the result that he taxed the

debenture holders of municipal i stock. This has 1 had the desired effect, for instsead of investing in municipal bonds, the majority of the money now reverts to loans floated by the Government. This is why money is not obtained by local bodies, as they do not know when they may have another 1 per cent, income tax to pay on top of the present tax. I should like to ask, Mr. Editor, what has this great Chamber of Commerce done? Did it take an active part in the Roose’s Park poll? Was its activities marked in the memorial campaign? One reads much about what they are going to do in electing a new Mayor and Council, going hat in hand to various likely residents; but the sooner they realise they do not possess a mandate from the people of Pukekohe the better, as common sense will ever 'assert itself in an intelligent community, apart from the recommendations any chamber. This pin pricking by the Chamber and its method of ignoring the Mayor and councillors when any information is viartted on local municipal matters does nor, I am sdre, appeal to the citizens generally, and does not help to bring forward our best citizens for public fife. Let the Chamber of Commerce look to its own shortcomings, eliminate these by putting bioadminded men in charge of its executive responsibilities, and it will have taken the first step to make its usefulness respected and appreciated m Pukekohe.— I am, etc., C jyig Pukekohe, Feb. 7, 1921.