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Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1931, Page 4

CumsTou unru City has again won distinction and is once more jn the lime-light. .In the late muni ipal elections the issue was decided largely on. major political grounds more than mere civic issues. The Labour Party politically has gained considerable headway in the Cathedral City where it has, thanks no doubt to the Labour Union organisations, a very effective voting machine on all laical issues. This advantage was made full nt-w of at the late municipal polls, when the loyalty of the Labour following to the party ties appeared very pronounced. During the contest one special isstiS which came to the surface, was that of wage reduction. The retiring Council had a majority of anti-Labour votes, and pursuing tlie general procedure of local bodies acting tint olily at the requests of tin.' Government, but out of personal consideration for local financial obligations to the ratepayers, introduced the “cut.” The Labour Party at the polls was bold enough to make that action tli© definite issue of the municipal ©lection, and the result gave the party a hare majority in the new Council. Little time was lost in, giving effect to the pledge on the hustings, and at the recent meeting the “cut” was ordered to he restored, and restored retrospectively. In ad dition, the wages on unemployment relief are to he made up to award rates for labour, and will not be subject even to the ten per cent, “cut” suggested by the Arbitration Court in this wcek’ s revised award. This generous treatment in a difficult financial period; places 'Christchurch City employees ip a unique position. The rate payers as a- whole will no doubt have their,..views about tlie situation which has developed, but will not have any immediate opportunity of value to expness .them. They have missed their chance, or perhaps overlooked the true import of the issue. Christchurch is now akin to New South Wale s (fortunately in a lesser degree). Air Lang rules in the Alother State of the >mmomyeaith, and won office by. lavish promises—which however he has not been able to fulfil. Christchurch is similarly ruled by reckless Labour always ready to vote for higher wages without consideration for those who ore called on to pay. The Ratepayers in'Christchurch will fool that they are being unduly penalised and beyond that of any other port of the Dominion. The high wage of unemployment can only encourage applications for work, and doubtless will attract surplus labour to Cbrstehureh, and it will’be difficult to exclude necessitous cases. The experience is on example of the reckles s policy of Labour in emergency. and Christchurch is to he sympathised with, more especially as the City Council proposes to raise a loan of £40,009 for the benefit of unemployment at the high rate of wages proposed. Aleantime Christchurch ratepayers will have time and occasion to reflect seriously on Labour in power.