The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1927. MORE FORTUNATE CONDITIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 19, 1927. MORE FORTUNATE CONDITIONS

Thk ratepayers of the Westland district appear to' he in more fortunate conditions than their neighbours, where rates and local body liabilities are -mounting up so steadily—at last to the alarm of those chiefly concerned—the ratepayers. In this district for s; me tints past tiie trend of general conditions Inis been observed very carefully. and tiie local bodies have been preparing to meet the changing conditions in advance, with the result that tli? local bodies—the forethought has nut to he credited to any one body in particular—have been able to meet the situation without advance or serious advance in rates. These complimentary remarks apply to the Westland County Council, the Westland Hospital Board and the Hokitika Borough Council. In the northern district, the Hospital Board has made a greatly increased levy on the local bodies, and •both the Greymoutli Borough Council and the Grey County Council have to impose an additional burden of some seriows impost on the ratepayers. The caution which the plight of the country called for. due specially to the stagnation in sawmilling and the reduced returns of the dairy farmers, was wisely practiced in Westland, with the result that the rate burden to lie placed upon the ratepayers this year is not being increased so far as the County Council is concerned, and only slightly in the borough area, due to an increas-. •' ed valuation. The importance of this 1

is heightened by the fact that the County revenue must, lie affected adversely in other directions this year, due to the decreased timber output, end the loss cf rates on standing timber <•01111 try. The ratepayers, nitlial. osrape extra taxation to make that loss i']). so that it. may he expected the County Council is practising serious economy in the general administration to meet the inevitable shortage of income. There is another channel also through which the ratepayers in Westland County are being served very faithfully by those charged with a certain administration. Wo refer to the Westland Electric. Power Board, which by very caret ill managi meat apd forethought has arranged 1o see that the district is provided with electric power and light without placing any continuous or undue, burden on the ratepayers. 1 ndcr the excellent arrangements made by the Board there is no liability nor obligation on the district respecting the introduction of power to 'North Westland. I hanks to the excellent conduct el the business, the people as a whole are clear c.l any liability in the matter. 'lllis happy position is worthy of being acknowledged publicly. The policy, porhapt. docs not suit those of .socialistic bent, who believe in controlling all public utilities, hut it is safest to judge each matter ill that direction by the peculiar circumstances of each case. In the adjoining northern district where the socialistic policy holds sway, there is a heavy liability placed on the people and it would appear that though funds will not afford a supply of electric power to all localities, yet all parts must pay if the rate has to he levied next year, ol which the Board is rather fearful. If that comes to pass the contract between the two districts will become more marked still, and there will he reason for greater thankfulness than over that AYestland district cannot drift into a like state of serious or menacing difficulty. In former times we have referred to the fact how well served the public are by their representative men. At the present period that view is particularly .stronglv emphasised, for the people are escaping serious and heavy taxation just at a time "hen they can least afford to meet. it. As the situation generally presents itself, the local bodies of AYestland are to be complimented on the sound methods of tlieir general management.