CORRESPONDENCE
(To the Editor.)
Sir. —In reference to the municipal elections, I have before me the platform of the Labour ticket who are seeking the people’s support, and as a ratepayer I would comment thereon. In regard to the proposals, 1 agree with some, but in common with others, I would like to know how many of them are bona, lide members of the Labour Party. I understand Labour representatives can only be drawn from financial members of that Party. Further, I believe it to be onejjf Labour’s fundamental principles to advocate proportional representation on any administrative body, which 1 conveys to my mind the impression that, at least locally, the Labour Party being a very small minority of the community, are side-tracking that principle by endeavouring to secure a majority in the council to which they are not entitled according to the Party’s platform. Tho personnel of the ticket is hardly worth dealing with, with tho exception of Cr. Thompson, who has proved his ability to represent the ratepayers, being something more than a chair-warmer. Then there is the masterly inactivity of the sola Labour representative, who has been conspicuous by his silence, and whose plea for that silence was that what he may(?) have brought forward would not have been endorsed, but that was not proved by Irving, for till one tries one does not know what support may be forthcoming. As to the proposals lor water and drainage, we have just had (lie only scheme worth having put before the Council, and disposed of. Proper footpaths 1 agree with, as also public baths, but Iho proposal re municipal coal yards shows that the Labour Parly are not conversant with the problem of fuel, and further, how arc they going to run it ? —keep a man in the yard to wail for coal they ■ must! know they cannot procure? Until the present coal combine is smashed, the experience of the larger centres in that direction flattens out that proposal, more so if they wore aware of the difficulty of certain industries to keep running for want of coal. As to the better lighting oil the streets. 1 also agree with that, up to (he point as to whether the present works would reouiic extending to cope with I he increase, or will' they need to be enlarged, material for which is almost unobtainable at present. To my mind, tho proposals put forward by the Labour Parly have not been thoroughiv gone into. - It is all very well to advocate these things, but why not tell the people how they intend to consummate them, as it is details that count. Had they made provision for municipal abbators, milk farm —and I think llm borough has enough laud lor that purpose, and this is a thing badly needed at present —together with workers’ homos, also the immediate erection of urinals for ‘public use. been put forward for a start, am] then when things become normal, to tackle bigger problems, would have been more practicable. Then there is also something of interest to the staff, as I believe 'there is a superannuation scheme for public bodies in operation in some towns; why hot here ? It gives tho staff something to look for in old age, after years of employment by the borough, and helps to ensure a measure of contentment on the part of the employees when the time come.- to be dumped on the scrap-heap as a, worn-out cog. Foxton s council in at present one of the very few public bodies that have never paid a penny war bonus during the last four years, ■which is no incentive to any man to give of lus best, am< further, I would suggest that tluf Labour ticket, if elected, should make it their first business to sec that the “hottom doggers" were brought into line with tho employees of oilier towns. In conclusion, it must bo recognised that in order to make progress wo must have I hose who have proved their worth, who by their business ability have shm\n that they are most lilted to grapple with the problems ahead. Such I fail to find in the Labour ticket, as put before the public, forwithout practical business experience how are they going to carry out the policy they advocate. They must’ prove that ability before they ear. ask the people’s confidence, and start at the bottom rung first.—-I am, etc., GRIT IF.
(To the Editor.) Q Sir. —Some time ago there was a great shindy by certain men against the purchase of a second-hand piano of German manufacture for tin! school. I think, Sir, more good would have been done if these patriotic objectors raised Cain over the rotten matches manufactured by one of our allies, and which we ar.i compelled to buy at increased prices. If these matches are a sample of the goods we are to give preference t«>, then we will be better off without them. Patriotism is a lino catch-cry till it touches the working man’s pocket. —Yours, etc., FAMILY MAN.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19190424.2.16
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1968, 24 April 1919, Page 3
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845CORRESPONDENCE Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1968, 24 April 1919, Page 3
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