THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1981, 30 June 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1880.

The intelligence that a Bill, having for its object the levying of a rate for fire prevention, was before the House took almost every one by surprise. This was the first public intimation received of any intention to bring forward such a Bill, and it was thought only right that the City Council, as representing the ratepayers, should have had an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the measure. The surprise that such was not done at an early stage was somewhat increased when it became know that the head of the Volunteer Eire Brigade hero, a gentleman who in this capacity is an officer of the Council, was one of the promoters of the measure. That gentleman explains that ho acted thus in his capacity .as President of the Fire Brigades Asso•iation of New Zealand, and so far, perhaps, the explanation is satisfactory. But even this does not do away with the responsibility resting on the promoters of a Bill seeking to impose additional taxation, to afford the representatives of the people who will have to pay the tax an opportunity of recording their opinions upon it. This has not been done in the way it should have been, though Mr. Harris explains that copies of the Bill, when printed, were sent to the Mayor and chairman of the fire brigade committee. But this was rather late in the proceedings, for the promoters of the Bill should, ore it reached the stage of being printed, have intimated their intention of introducing it and invited the cooperation of the various Councils in passing such a measure as would meet the requirements of the united brigades. This would also have enabled the public to express their views

upon the provisions of the measure in« stead of, as now, it coming upon them suddenly. So far as the Bill itself is concerned there is not much harm in it. At present, as our readers are aware, the expenses consequent on the maintenance of Fire Brigades come out of the general rates. The Bill now under notice provides that municipalities may if they think proper instead of paying them out of their ordinary rates raise a special one, This provision will enable municipalities whose general rates are hut small to provide for fire prevention if they desire to do so by levying a small extra special rate. So far as this goes there is nothing objectionable as far as wo can see. There is nothing whatever coercive in the measure, and in most cases in all probability particularly in the larger muuicipalties, the special rate clause would remain a dead letter. It is all the more to be regretted, therefore, that the ratepayers should not, through their representatives, have been taken a little more into the confidence of tho Firo Brigades Association. It would have been better had the different City Councils been asked at an early date to consider tho question and express their opinions thereon. This would have prevented, most probably, an antagonistic fooling spreading on the subject, and would Lave enabled the member in charge of the Bill to have moved its second reading with far more confidence. It is not yet too late for this to bo done. Let Mr. Harris, in bis capacity as President of the Firo Brigades Association, request the Councils of tho principal municipalities to express their opinion on the Bill, or probably a very strong feeling will got up against what may bo a very useful measure—a feeling sufficient to ensure its rejeelion.