CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1689, 22 March 1917, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

[To the Editor.]

Sir. —I noticed by your report of the last Council meeting that the borough roadmen applied for, and were granted, Is per day increase in wages. Before arriving at this momentous decision the Council went into committee. Haven’t councillors sullicient moral courage to discuss a subject of this nature in open council instead of behind closed doors. Are they paying the increase out of their own pockets, or is it the ratepayers’ money they are spending? If the latter, then the ratepayers have a right to know through the public press the reasons for the increase, and councillors’ criticism. Personally I am of opinion that the Council was justified in granting the increase, but what I do object to is the coward’s castle method of dealing 'with the subject; The sting of the whole thing is in the tail of the resolution —“they lie asked to put a little more energy into the work.” What I ask, sir, is what does that imply ? 1 may be dull wilted, but if it doesn’t mean that they have been “loafing on the job” I’m a Dutchman. Why could not councillors express their opinions in open council, instead' of sheltering behind closed doors, and finally coming into the open with an insinuation from which the public, sir, are left to draw their own conclusions. If councillors in the discharge of their PUBLIC duty are afraid to say what they believe to be true in the interests of the ratepayers, whose trustees they are, and upon whose behalf they act, then, to use an Americanism, they should quit. —I am, etc., FAIR DEAL.