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Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1931, Page 4

Tut; members of the Westland County Council tackled the question of economy yesterday in quite good heart, 'limy mid a healthy linaneia! report to build on, and past experiences justified reliance in tile rocummrnualUma of the Treasurer. However, in some instances, the Council wolit luithet than the officer recommended. xhe basis of 'the report was a desire to reduce tile rate oil tile sbttlers cut ot recognition lor their present period of hardships due to reduced prices 'for primary produce. There was also 'the obvious loss ul revenue tor the time being to Hie Council, in the drop in timber royalties following the slutline,s of the trade. Fortunately this is not a total less in that the timber remains and some day will return th c local hotly ’.lie revenue it is entitled to. But tin' two sources of income premise to dei line some IMOO!) for the year, and this had to lie made good. 'I he Councillors were sell-sacriiicinji anti hi ought the Chainin' , s honorarium under the economy axe. 25 per rent of 'the annua! amount, being cut oil". The cut on the salaries was made more uniform, some of the officials losing 10. others and five per cent respect!vcIv. i tie witges for the casual labourer were reduced to 14s per day a lower “cut” being lost on the voices. The other proposals hv the Treasurer were adopted in toto, and The Council lias earned some distinction in so doing. The County of Westland will now rank as one of the lowest rated in 'Hie Dominion for its capital value an, achievement which should please the ratepayers. The Treasurer expressed the devoir, hope that with the “cut” in the rate, ratepayers should make it a point for prompt payment so as to give the Council the fullest assistance with decreased income, and as a rebate of five per cent is to he offered as an inducement, the hope should lm m >- fair wav of being realised. The action bv Hie Council yesterday should place 't oil side with the electors when next year the election period is due. The members did tint shirk their resoitsibllitjes at a time when duty culled and the action .should find favour an appreciation with the public tit large. It remain now for events covering the year’s work to justify the action taken, and the economies to he expected from the Ist of next month.