LOCAL BODIES FINANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1921, Page 3

LOCAL BODIES FINANCE

The problem of “raising the wind” after it has been given authority to do so by the ratepayers has been a real one for tlie Invercargill Council since the money rate took its first leap from the level of that payable by public bodies. Some of tlie works for which money is required are very pressing, but there are about £40,000 worth of debentures that investors will not buy. The result is that unless an improvement takes place activities that have been started will have to be dropped, while others, the need of which is just as great, will not be started. The Council some time ago approached the Prime Minister for permission to pay more than 5] per cent for its money, and a reply, with an element of hope in it, was received. Now, however, a declaration that the Minister is unable to alter his decision has come to hand. The letter was read at to-night’s meeting of the Town Council.

Cr McDonald moved that—“As other public bodies have been paying a higher rate than that decreed by the Government, and that no denial has been made to representations in this respect, the Minister be advised that his decision is an injustice to this part of the island, and that the Council does not see why Invercargill should he made an invidious exception.” Another councillor»nientioned that he had noticed that a Northern body was guaranteeing a net return of £6 2s 6d. The Mayor remarked that he presumed the Auckland Harbour Board bad good reason for offering 6 per cent. It was hardly likely to carry tlie responsibility on its own shoulders. A Councillor: Of course Auckland has an advantage. The Prime Minister lives in the district. The Mayor: Oh, I know they don’t request. They demand. The motion was carried, and it was suggested that the Mayor sTSould visit Wellington and have a personal interview with the Minister. _*

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