MUNICIPALISING GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 12 July 1901, Page 3

MUNICIPALISING GREYMOUTH

(To the Editor.) Si a.—This the age of trusts, syndicates, and combines, and wo daily hear of the gigantic operations of these bodies in Europe and America. There is the steel tiuit, the shipping combine, the dynamite monopoly, the railway ring, and the corn syndicate, and others of a similar nature with largo capital and the best and cheapest facilities for production and destination. There is a great deal to bo said in favour of these operations, and the tendency of the ago is consolidation of interests. Such being the case, would it not be advisable for the people of this town to look ahead and try and formulate a scheme to acquire for the Borough the land now leased by the Maoris, and known as Native Reserve. This portion of the town is now considerably more valuable than it was, say ten years ago, and the next assesment will doubtless be fixed to produce a higher rental. So far so good, The tenants will be compelled to pay such increased rental, or quit and make room for those who will. The point however, that strikes me is that the Borough is now spending large sums of money to improve this laud on which later they will have to pay more for, and which, as the present tenure is arranged, they can never acquire or themsedvos reap the benefit of this present expenditure, but rather the reverse. Could not a sum, say of £IOO,OOO or £150,000 bo borrowed and the Borough become the landlord, allowing the Maoris their present income. Then as the land became more valuable, the rents would of course be increased, but there would ha a certain satisfaction in paying such increase, knowing that, directly the Borough, and indirectly the individual taxpayer was reaping the benefits. Improvments could then with justice to the residents be effected and in a few years Greymouth would be a perfect Paradise, everything would bo municipalized, wo would have municipal parks, fountains, water supply, drainage system, gas or electric lighting, tram cars etc. ad libitum, and/ultimately be like Glasgow or Manchester on a small scale. The idea as here expressed may appear crude at present but I feel convinced that the bons of a great scheme is herein laid bare and the details to form the perfect whole I leave for some abler pen to indicate. —I am etc., Zatoe.