The Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1885. LOCAL BODIES' FINANCE AND POWERS BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 25, 27 June 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1885. LOCAL BODIES' FINANCE AND POWERS BILL.

There seems to -be Jin undercurrent jof uneasiness and apprehension with regard to the possible cf 4 fects from the operation of this Bill. It is well to look at the eventualities without disguising the possible consequences, so as to be able to form correct conclusions. The main feature of this scheme is the guarantee by the Colony of seven and a half millions to be paid m annual' subsidies extending over 25 yars. We hope that this important question will be dealt with by the Bouse on its own merits, wholly irrespec- , tiye of party considerations As a Wellington ; paper points out, the subject is too serious, and the possible consequences ..of the proposal are too far-reaching to be left, at the mercy of, any trumpery questionofr "outs 111 and "ins." 1 ' The whole credit of the Colony is affected' by such a proposal, and no mere party ties ought to induce members to support jt nnless they are sincerely convinced it will befor the good of the country. Our contemporary does not deem it either safe or ai desirable mode of providing for the needs, of the local bodies. It commit s the Colbriy 'irrevocably to a grant of seven and ai half millions, irrespective of all circumstances. Yet circumstance are quite conceivable which would render the annual contribution towards the grant an intolerable burder on the taxpayers. A war, a. commercial depression, a. continuance of low prices for produce, or Any one of many possible eventualities might render the liability unbearably onerous. Once formally entered into by •Parliament; the engagement to ,find the. money would be absolutely binding for the whole quarter century. The Colony then would be bound to furnish this .£300,000 per annum; ono half out of the ordinary revenue raised by tax.ition ; the other hiilf out of loans— if the money could.be borrowed when wanted; but m any case the -money would have to be forthcoming. We think our contemporary's prediction would very probably be verified that the local bodies would lose no time m making available the full capitalised value of their prospective subsidies. Flushed with the possession of such unwonted wealth, they would assuredly spend it treely and royally on all sorts of works, necessary and unnecessary. All the, money would begone m a few years, leaving numberless works begun or undertakeir, 1 ; bu,t ; unfinished. And then would infallibly follow an, agitation for further grants, to enable these: necessary works to be completed, as otherwise the money which hadalready been expended on them would be .wasted. Judicious log-i rolling would as certainly be brought to bear, and would almost certainly be succesful m achieving the object sought. Viewed from every stand point, it is clear that the Bill ought to have the most careful attention of the Legislature as well as the earnest and thoughtful con I sideration of the local bodies and the taxpayers, before the Colony finally conVmits' itself to such a heavy financial responsibility. As was plainly stated m tne Budget, if the proposals embodied m the Bill are adopted . .by the Hou^e, the country is irrevocably pledged to a heavy burthen of increased taxation for a term of at' least five and twenty years to come.