"CLEAN UP; PAINT UP."

Horowhenua Chronicle, 27 November 1916, Page 2

"CLEAN UP; PAINT UP."

(To the Editor.} Sir, —No doubt the promoters of the above campaign meant well, but some of tliem have allowed their zeal to overrun their discretion. and as a consequence the project will have a short life. To organiize. sub-commit-tees as Mr Aitken proposed to attend (inspect) streets, backyards, sanitation, garbage and flies is rather a- big undertaking; and a rifiky one, too, especially if the lady of the house is in a poor mood. Anyway we will leave that part of the program l severely alone. There is another phase of the question whVcli has been overlooked. The majority of people in the borough are tenants. Nbw, what inducement or encouragement is offered to them to improve their places? Ae soon as

. they get the place into good order, someone will come along and offer the agent or owner an advance on the rent, and you have either to get out, lor else pay the increased rent. You have to pay for your own improvements, and in some cases property iis ' sold over your head through your ■ improvements. It i's pretty rough 1 on the tenant, after spending his hard | earnings and time in growing vegetables and flowers and general improvement in the upkeep of the place and 110 remuneration. That being the case, why ehould tenants be asked to clean up and be bothered with other people's affairs. Most tenants keep their places in fair order for their own self-respect. If you wish fcr genera! improvements men why not go to the right parties—the agents or the owners.—l am, etc., SANDY McNAH.