The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 12, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1244, 12 May 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, May 12, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The decision arrived at by the Borough Council last night to refer the question of whether the whole borough or only that portion it is intended to reticulate should be pledged as security for the loan —and rated —for a water and drainage scheme, to a referendum of the ratepayers, will, we feel sure, meet with general approval. By this means the true feeling of the ratepayers on the question will be obtained, and the Mayor and Councillors absolved from all blame if it is afterwards found that a mistake has been made. The principle of the referendum is a most democratic one, and, although it is not desirable that it should be used to settle all questions, it is specially adaptable to the one under review. The members of the Council would be quite within their rights in deciding this question without referring to the ratepayers for an expression of opinion, and their decision to abide by the result of a referendum is evidence that the} r desire to have the matter settled in such a way as will meet with the approval of the majority of ratepayers in the borough. The poll will be taken on Tuesday next, and it is to be hoped that the ratepayers will show an appreciation of the responsibility devolving upon them by rolling up in full force and recording their votes.