Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1923. THE RIGHTS OF RATEPAYERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2670, 11 December 1923, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1923. THE RIGHTS OF RATEPAYERS.

THE Borough Counoil at lasi night’s meeting, by five voles to four, rejected the proposal to submit a loan proposal to the ratepayers in reference to the construction of public swimming baths, library, etc. Whatever the personal opinions and objections of Councillors may be in this matter, they have taken up a. most extraordinary and unprecedented and absolutely undemocratic attitude in depriving the ratepayers of the right to say whether Fox ton shall have these much desired public conveniences or not. While the Mayor is opposed to the loan and has used every argument to damn the proposal, yet he has exercised the saving grace of bowing to the soverign right of the people to decide this question. The Council’s attitude in the matter is not only ridiculous, but contrary to constitutional procedure. Two public meetings have been held at which a mandate was given to the Council to submit the proposals to the ratepayers and fiye Councillors have arrogated to. themselves the right to block it. The petition is Oilbertian. If the proposals are submitted to the ratepayers and those in opposition have such a good case, why worry"? The result of the poll would settle the question for a time at least and the Council would have done its duty. But. to deprive the ratepayers of that right is a piece of intolerance which reflects upon the intelligence of the community.