AN EXPLANATION.

Manawatu Herald, 9 June 1898, Page 3

AN EXPLANATION.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE MANAWATU HERALD. Sir,— One paragraph of your report of the Borough Council last meeting would be the better of a little explanation. Some of my friends wish to insinuate that I am opposing the Flax Industry, such is not the case by any means. As a matter of fact, lam desirous of doing all in my~p9nr 4o foster it, but one has also other dntiea to perform, and the business of the Council should be carried on in a business-like manner. Dozing the years 1891 2 and 8 the annual wit for Flax-mills on Borough sites ww £5 per annum, in 1894 the Flax fell below a paying pnoe, and in response to a deputation, the Council in order to help tha Millers, reduced the rent to £1 conditionally on it being paid in ad-

vance, and another resolution was passed to that effect on 14th June 1896 and 7. Very well; in the last three months, the Flax has more than doubled itself in price, and there is in consequence, a much heavier traffic on our roads, necessitating a higher expenditure, now, I ask, under these circumstances, would not any businessman, if he, and not the Council, had the letting of these sites, and the care of those roads, demand the original rent ? most certainly he would ; and what did the business men of the Council do when asked to second a motion to that effect ? they shrugged their shoulders and passed it on, each one to the next, why ? because they were afraid it might hurt their trade with the flaxmillers, aud yet in a general conversation before the motion was written they acknowledged the original rent viz. £5 thould now be paid. This is a sample of how the interests of Ratepayers as a whole are guarded by our Council. Sir, it is high time that a sweep, ing change was made in the Council and I can tell you, that when I find my "backbone is several degrees weaker than that of a Jelly-fish, and that all Borough questions have to be first considered as to how they will affect my shop, I should at once resign my seat, but the Ratepayers may rest assured that as long as I have the honour to occupy a seat at the Council table, I shall do what I believe to be my duty, without fear or favour. — I am, Ac, Alf Fbaser.