THE DISTRICT’S MEMBER

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1609, 23 November 1905, Page 2

THE DISTRICT’S MEMBER

SHOULD HE BE INTERVIEWED? At the meeting of the Cook County Council yesterday, the question of a deputation waiting upon the Hon. Jas. Carroll was diseussed at some length. The Chairman urged that the Council should take au early opportunity of interviewing Mr Carroll in regard to several matters of importance to the district. They should, he said, specially point out to Mr Carroll the difficulty of making the Government grants available. Owing to the financial position of the Council and

the strict conditions under 1 which the votes were given, it was doubtful if in some oases the amounts granted could be spent. .. . Cr H. Ken way said that Mr Carroll’s reply would probably be that the district was a rich one and they were not sufficiently rated. The Chairman: It is hard that we should have to Bpend the amount votod before we reoeive it. I think that we should endeavor to get a better system in regard to allocation of grants. If we contribute so much to the revenue we should receive a proportionate amount in return, 'or else the votes should be on the basis of the rates paid or area covered. . Cr P. Kenway : It is gettiog.so hear: a politioal question now that no good oan be served hy interviewing Mr Carroll. Or Harding : I do not thiok that it is the duty of the to point out to Mr Carroll that we are not sufficiently rated. Our objeot should be to get as much as wo oau from the Government and spend it.

The Chairman : The grants have been miserably mean this year. Oar revenue has increased, bat the amount received in votes has greatly diminished. Whatever we have to complain of we should make known to oar representative. Or Harding: We have never pat oar requirements in a foroible manner before the member for the district. The stand taken by some members of the Council In the paßt has been that it was not worth their while to make representations to the Government. It being suggested that the Counoil should meet Mr Carroll on December 4th, Cr Kenway remarked, “ Have we a member on that day. If we interview one candidate for Parliament we should interview another.” Cr Harding: Oar sitting member is member until be is put oat. Discussion of the question followed, the Chairman pointing out that although they had no member on the date stated, the district being represented by a Minister of the Crown the Council were plaoed in a different position, and could place their requirements before Me Carroll in'his 1 Ministerial capacity. Or Harding: It is a distinction without ! a difference. Then we can call him a Minister of the Crown. 1

The Chairman : Seeing we have no right to wait npen Mr Carroll as our representative, perhaps the best plan will be to wait until after the election and ins terview whoever is elected.

Cr Hardiog: We have-not much doubi in our minds as to who it will be.

Cr Mattnews: But there is always a great unauthorised vote that we can get a slice out of. We oan do no harm in interviewing Mr Carroll. The Chairman: I shall propose that the Council wait upon Mr Carroll. Or P. Kenway : I think the matter should be deferred until after the election, and we oan then interview the member elected for the district. I do not at all like the idea of interviewing a candidate and asking him bow muoh we are going to get if ho gets in. > Tbe Chairman : I agree with you." I take tbe view that Mr Carroll is no longer oar member. But as a Cabinet Miniate we oan take the opportunity of placing our views before him.

Cr P. Kenway: In the eyes of the publio it wonid be as a candidate that we were interviewing him. The Chairman : We must make that olear that it is not as a candidate that we. ere interviewing him. After further discussion it was deoided to meet the Native Minister on Saturday morning next at 11 o’olook.

Cr Wall: I hope that we will bring ap the matter of the expenditure of ail the amounts placed on the estimates. The Chairman: We can bring all mamier of things before him.