HARBOUR RATING AREA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 956, 18 February 1911, Page 4

HARBOUR RATING AREA.

A FEILDING VIKW. The Feilcling Star, referring to a suggested rating area by the Foxton Harbour Board to provide security on a loan for the purchase of the wharf from the Railway Department says: “It will interest Feilding residents to learn that in a general and indefinable sort of way our borough and district are suggested as fair game for the harbour tax-gatherer. This is a matter which should be dealt with in a prompt and unmistakable way. The benefit which the communilv in general reaps from the harbour lacilities at Foxton is so small as to Ire a negligible quantity, although, perhaps, one or two businesses may use them to advantage ; and Feilding will only be defending its just rights by entering a vigorous protest against inclusion in any rating area. Another aspect of the question is the danger of being rated to such an extent as to heavily hinder the progress of the district. As at present constituted, the Board may be a carelul and economical body, but there may come a time when a few reckless men, having control, would lay themselves out to construct big woiks, and the necessary rale might hit Feilding folks ha’der than they should be hi.. Wisdom and caution now may prevent the lauding of the district in a scheme which would cause great lamentation when it was too late to find the way of escape. Before any rate can be struck, the matter will have to be dealt with by Parliament, so that the representative local bodies will have opportunity lo protect themselves from impo-dtion. The Feilding Borough Council and the member for the distiict should be ready for any eventuality, and speak with no uncertain voice on the very first opportunity. The Chamber of Commerce had a desultory discussion on the subject on Monday nigh', when it was suggested in so many words that Feilduig should play with the hook tor a while, to see if there are any advantages for us in the proposed scheme. It is to he hoped that the Borough Council, which is the responsible body, will speak plainly and with united voice once and for all and safeguard the interests of the town and district. It has to be remembered that although it is a far cry from Feildmg to Wellington, this district of ours is within the Wellington Harbour Board’s area, Mr M. Cohen being our representative. The Borough Council also has a representative on the Foxton Harbour Board. We have all along urged closer connection between Foxton and Feilding, because the sea board is a cheaper facility for carying got Is than the railways from Wellington. If Feilding ever becomes a manufacturing centre —and we firmly believe it will —direct connection with improved wharves at Foxton will be of great benefit. And with a tramway from the seaport right up to our back door (Sandou), it does not seem lo be an impossible task for Feilding’s business men to set their resolves upon attaining that object. The Council and the Chamber and the members of Parliament for Oroua and Manwatu should consider this important point when the rating area lor the F'oxtou Harbour Board comes under their consideration. If we cannot get that connection, then what has Feilding to do with Foxton ? ”