THE LOANS RUOPOSALS.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 264, 22 June 1906, Page 2

THE LOANS RUOPOSALS.

(to the editor.) j Siß,—ln iha advertisements regard--1 ing borrowing under the “ L >ans to ' L cal Bodies Acs ” in last issue, I 1 notice that |two sections—Mr Suby’s ! and mine—appear iu the ooticec of ■ both the Pirongia West and Okupata i roads. As I live on the Okupata road i and do not have any use for the Pi- : rongia West road—which would be 1 better not there as far as I am conJ earned—l decidedly object to payi g I oit on roads right rcund my eec I To expect those who are beuefitted ( a road to pay interest is fair, bat thia j appears to me to ba a direct attempt at ■ daylight robbery, and I should like to j know who put these advertisements in : the paper. If this is considered hon ; est and fair by the members of tbe famous Kawhia County Council I say no borrowing for me. What is the use of wasting more money ? It the travelling expenses of the members ware spent on employing a surfaceman during the fine mouths our roads would now be in a better state. I ask simply for information, What good to the electors has the Kawhia County Council done ? Do its members ex* pect to win tbe confidence of those who elected them by such an attempt ai these advertisements show ? I calculate the settlers have enough to pay out already without increasing their rates. Bear in mind that this tax will be for 44 years. Why should tbe Okupata rate come to 1 7-8 d in the £, while the Pirongia West is put down to 1 11-J6J in the £ ? I should like to know who is for these blunders and if the ratepayers are supposed to take it all seriously, allowing their wish to get a good road to run away with their common sense. Wait until all the land served by these roads is rateable, then talk of borrowing. It is nearly all leased from the natives and an Act to enforce rates being paid three months after it is individualised is to become law shortly. By rushing into borrowing now we place the burden upon a few shoulders, whilst by waiting until all the land is settled all land benafitted would bear its share ot the roads. If we petitioned the Government in a body to fulfill the agreement under which tbe land war taken up—that roads would be made—there is no doubt but that the promise would be fulfilled and our hard earned dollars saved.—Yours, etc., G. H. MACKENZIE.