MR. BITCK AND THE RATING AREA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1612, 19 September 1916, Page 2

MR. BITCK AND THE RATING AREA.

fX our last issue we l published a rcniiirkiibU* st !i (emon ( him do by Mr D. Buie-k, M.P. for Palmerston, and uttered at a social function, in respect to tin 1 proposed rating area of the Foxton Tfarhour Board, also a brief cimimeiil on same. Since then we have read a report of the function which was adorned by the presence, if not tin l speech of Mr Buick, M.P. The function was held in honour of the opening of new premises for Messrs Holelingham and Beckett, a well-known and enterprising linn of Palmerston merchants. In a speech at the same function Mayor Nash, after referring to the growth of the linn, spoke of the future possibilities of Palmerston as a commercial centre ‘“in view of the opening up of the port of Foxton." Mr T. I\. ITodder, of the wellknown linn of Hodder and Tolley, proposed the toast of “the commercial interests of Palmerston,’’ and alter dealing with the causes which were going to push Palmerston to the forefront as one of the principal cities in the Dominion, referred to (he acquisition of the Foxton wharf, and said “that one thing they lacked was shipping, and he hoped that the opening up of the port of Foxton would have the effect on business those responsible for its acquisition expected it would.” Down on the list to respond to the <! Visitors and customers of the Firm” Mr Buick was placed —and he was annoyed—for he said “In 1 did not exactly see how he was a visitor!” Was that the cause of his foolish utterance: “While representing this town in Parliament T will not agree to a rating area for the Foxton wharf purchase?” Then In* went on to say, and mark the logic, “If the public agreed to a rating area, well and good, but*they did not want any Foxton parochialism. Wellington is our port, and Palmerston the city!” With the fact that those responsible for the function classed Mr Buick, M.P., a “visitor," we have nothing to say, except that it appears to have made him angry-; that he had to listen to enterprising and far-seeing public and business men set forth the fundamentals upon which Palmerston's future prosperity and progress depended, chief among which were the railways and the acquisition of the Foxton port, was lifting in order to educate 1 and enlighten him in the discharge l of his elrr t ie-s as the* people's representative. But Mr Buiedc was annoye'd, anel he l elieln’t want any “Foxton paroediialism.” 'flu 1 peirt eif Foxton is Palmerston's vital e-eme'ern, hawing out either e-entres from Pahiatua to Taihape. Deies Mr Buie-k not know that prae-iie-ally all the- local governing bodies directly e-om-erned have- already unanimemsly agreeel to the 1 creation of a rating area? Doe's he not know that the revenue 1 from the 1 port will almost be suffiedeml lei meet the internes! and sinking fuml on any leian rei|uired to improve the port and facilitate shipping, wilhemt e-all-ing up one penny pierne of the rates? Den's Mr Buiedc not know that he 1 was sent to Parliament to carry our the 1 will of the people* he represents in mll matters e-om-eming the welfarel of the elistricl, imli'pemehmi of his own personal pri'juelices 1 The will of (he l people is clear on the l subji'cl of the ac(|uisition of the wharf, and all that Mr Buick law to do is to t'.xpress that opinion in the House whim the uee-cssary legislation is brought down to anumd the 1 Act.