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Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4464, 12 June 1930, Page 3

(To the Editor). Sir. —Space permitting, may I write an opinion on the action of the Council in turning down an offer of over eight hundred pounds pei- year for the Town Hall. Now, £iv, I do not think the Council act ed wisely, as they appear to have given their lliouglits only to the present, and failed to visualise the future. Ten years time will see the people enjoying the “Talkies” at home per medium of wireless apparatus, such which is now in the process of perfection, and I venture to say that in live years the present, “talkies" will he as antiquated as the present programmes arc. This is essentially an age of progress, but apparently onr City Fathers fail to discern the fact. Recently the Town Clerk informed the Council that it. would cost over two thousand pounds to install the "talkies," and they decided against them. Now they are panic-strick-en, and want, to install what iu a few years will he consigned to limbo, I think the offer should have been taken, as it would have relieved the Council of the responsibility of asking for a loan for the

oipose of installing the apparatus. It seems to me the Council have been stampeded by a few business people (whom I notice go elsewhere for their pleasures) who lose sight of the fact that the, nationalisation of highways parallel lo the railways will become fact, and a a monopoly of the State, whereby the general public will be catered for per motor, or electric tram. Apari from that, why .should a few oa-ijjt.--- people try to prevent their less fortunate brothers from spend-

!ng a few hours in the city after being -tuck home all the week? And is it likely that people will buy 'Hi article in the city if they can get c. cheaper at home? If the busi-

ness uan of Eoxton is cheap, why do people go outside for their requirements ? Take this: 1 pay JB/'(i for a pair of knee gum boots in Pox ton, nil me make UJ/iti jp. Wellington; why the difference ? My wife buy- a "jumper” in Paxton at 17 /ft, exactly the same in Feilding 11/(J. Now, Mr Business Man, cater for the people, and they will patronise you. Sting them once, they go elsewhere. But. I am digressing from my main theme, "Pictures,” and 1 would like to know if the deputation of business men lost sight of ihe fact that the Town Hall is also loaded with an incubus costing about ill per week with not a penny return from it. Business ? The Council will find that the ratepayers will not sanction a loan when they could have got rid of the burden and received eight ecu pounds per week consolation. Why rush into committee on these questions. Have not the ratepayers a. right to know how the business is conducted? Why should they he ignored, and why the visit, of the Mayor and Town Clerk to Auckland? There is more behind this Limn is good lor us to know', apparently. The position is, the Council has failed to run the Hall, and the disgust of the patrons has taken them elsewhere for their cnlerlainuicnls, and the Council have lost what at present on information available is a golden opportunity of dropping the burden at a fair sized prolit. —Yours, etc., PATRON.