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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2645, 13 October 1923, Page 2

(To The Editor). Rir, —Having in mind some allusion to angelic hosts, I would just like to sav that when the Mayor referred to a public library, ele., as a luxury, lie was expressing bis own opinion and no one can find fault with that, but it does not follow, sir, that lie speaks on the subject, with public backing. In my opinion, sir, the only way to ascertain the feelings of the ratepayers on the subject of a public reading-room and library is to submit a loan proposal to them on the subject and I think the Council acted very unwisely when if refused to grant that right on the motion of Cr. Smith. The Mayor said he would concede to such request provided he received a petition of 25 per cent, of the ratepayers. This is a most extraordinary and may I say, an unprecedented condition in face of the fact that the Council misused portion of the money sanctioned by the ratepayers for a public reading-room and lib • rary. Why did he not lay down a similar condition in connection with the.public swimming baths? Surely there is something sinister in such a distinction. In any case, sir, Cr. Smith would have no difficulty in obtaining the names of 75 per cent, of the ratepayers for such a proposal and I hope he will sacrifice a little of his time in obtaining same. An institution of this nature is in the very best, interests of our young men and' is a source of intellectual uplift to the community. —Yours etc. RATEPAYER.