Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1902. The Election.

Manawatu Herald, 3 July 1902, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1902. The Election.

Parliament has just opened, and at its conclusion members will be hurrying to their constituencies to explain how much they can do to make life better, if they're returned to parliament. Every three years the same old story gets repeated, and even though, here and there, a member does use his power, and vote to make matters better, yet in the long run things seem to remain much as they were. This is only natural in this colony as it appears on. questions of importance generally, there is little to le done, tor we are a favoured nation and there is little, that is wanted, that pdliticians can do. Locally, as a matter of every day routine, a great deal needs seeing to, but the wants are those of funds to do the work with, and good and steady government appears to be all that is required. Under these circumstances there will probably bo very little done in this session of parliament, and it is to be hoped that this will be the case, as it is rest from new laws that is what is wanted. We. have mentioned that what most.districts want is cheap money, and the more the government can assist them in this way, the better it will besfor the districts as well as for the government. Most districts are crying out for help, not charity, and our own borough is a good example of other cases. We want our streets metalled, we are ready to make them at our own expense,J)ut the difficulty experienced has been to borrow the sum needed at reasonable interest. For Road Boards and Counties the Government will lend money to make rqads on very easy terms, such terms this borough and many others would like to obtain, but because we are called a borough, and not a road board, the Government refuse to lend. The security this borough has to offer lor a loan is unexampled, its valuable prhprty not having'been pledged for a sixpence, and yet under the circumstances we are at present placed in not being .able to get a penny unless we borrow at the ex- 7 pensive rates charged by moneylenders. Why this should be is not to be understood and the matter has been brought very clearly under the notice of the Acting-Premier, Sir ' Joseph Ward, and he has distinctly stated he holds a favourable opinion as to taking off this inability. Wa believe the Mayor will again bring this matter up and propose, at the next Council meeting, that a deputation wait upon Sir Joseph on this matter. Wa feel sure that a good deputation, assisted by our member, would secure good results, and the matter is one of so much consequence to the prosperity of the district and the comfort of the inhabitants that Councillors should be willing to do their very best, though entailing a little inconvenience and loss of time to themselves, to become a member of this deputation.