Local Bodies Subsides.

Manawatu Herald, 10 September 1892, Page 2

Local Bodies Subsides.

Mr H. D. Vavasour, a Blenheim sottler, writing in the Canterbury Press, as to indication in the Fin an ■

cial Settlement that the Premier had in view the total withdrawal of sub' sidies from local bodies, proceeds to to say : — ".Ten years ago we had ! a subsidy of £1 per £1 ; the Atkinson Government on the strength of this £1 per £1 subsidy then saddled us with the Hospital and Charitable Aids and then threw all the large bridges, of the colony on our shoulders. Having got these firmly fi&dNhey 1 [ then proceeded to reduce the subsidy ' to 10s, then to its present .. 58. Now Mr Ballance is feeling his ' ', way to a withdrawal altogether. All these changes have taken place; w^tn* out any protest from counties or Boards, and unless somesjkujig made I have no doubt the further reduction Will be effected. Having been intimately ccnneoted with Eoad Boards and County Councils for over twenty years, and knowing how much it takes for these bodies to bestir themselves, I wish to point out that unless vigorous and unanimous action is taken, and protests made at an early date, we shall find that the last straw is put on, and Councils and Boards throughout the colony will be seriously crippled financially, if not absolutely bankrupt."