The Oamaru Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1315, 24 June 1880, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1880.

It is somewhat surprising that, while Borough Councils and Road Boards in other portions of Otago and Canterbury are holding conferences to consider the proposals of the Ministry with reference to the withdrawal of subsidies,, the. local governing bodies of this district are taking no action whatever upon a question very seriously affecting the pockets of 'every ratepayer. We do not desire to go into the question fully, for we have on previous occasions pointed out the injustice sought to be inflicted on this town and district. We have shown that the proposed substitute " for the subsidies will operate unequal : y and unfairly, and that th'S town and district will be serious losers by the new arrangement, while others, particularly in the North Island, will reap advantages that they never reaped before. Not only does the proposal of the Government mean the loss of libe subsidies, but it also means the loss of the share of the land fund hitherto paid to County Councils under the Financial Ar» rangements Act. To these losses must also be added the fact that the chief burden of supporting the Hospital and Benevolent Institution will fall upon the local bodies, and this, too, notwithstanding that they will be reduced to. a state of poverty by the withdrawal of all support from the Government. This, of course, means additional taxation, and the question therefore becomes one of very great moment, demanding the serious consideration of those upon whom will devolve the unpleasant task of levying additional rates. Besides this, the members for the district may fairly lay claim to an expression of opinion upon the question from those whom ' the proposed changes will effect. Such an ' expression would materially strengthen the hands of our members in any effort they ! may make to obtain a modification of. the [proposals of the Ministry. Without such an expression of opinion it will be assumed j that the local governing bodies of the disI trict agree with the new scheme of finance, [ and our representatives will be open to the I accusation of not being in accord with the views of their constituents.