PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 5 June 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Answees thereto, are invited on Farming, Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district. Names of writers’ need not be Printed.

MERCHANTS AND SETTLERS. In the report of the Kakaramea harbor meeting, Mr Palmer is credited with saying thus :—“ A merchant at Patea imports say a hundred tons of goods a year,” (and after comparision of a lot of port expenses says) “he saves at least 2s per ton. If the tonnage rate were increased 2s it wottld mean- £IOO a year to him,” and then something unintelligible about harbor rate and “ £lO a year and takes £9O clear by the transaction.”

Now, if Mr Palmer can make it clear that by increasing the tonnage rate 2s a ton, a merchant importing 100 tons makes £IOO a year (out of which he would not be likely to part with £lO a year for harbor rate, and so instead of “ taking £9O clear ” by the transaction would make £IOO a year), then I will sell my land, start Patea merchant, charter the Cockatoo,” and instead of importing a paltry 100 tons a year, go in for 100 tons a week, make £5,200 a year by the transaction, and purchase the harbor. I notico the sentiment was applauded. I think the arithr metic should have come in for a share.

Assuming that the printer has left out a cypher’by mistake, and that 100 tons should be 1000, the argument advanced remains the same : the absurdity multiplied by ten.

A Puzzled Reader,

Note. —Mr Palmer’s argument was based on the supposition that a merchant imports 1000 tons a year. The printer left out a cypher, and spoilt part of the argument.— Ed. Mail. ,

THE PUBLIC HOUSE QUESTION. Allow me space in your paper to make a few remarks oh the granting of the license for the new public-house. In the, first place it is patent to every one that the house is not required for public convenience, and that the application would never have been made to the old Licensing Bench ; and I am sure the new Committee will not be swayed, but will impartially decide for the public good, and at the same time not to ignore vested interests. If licenses are granted for such class of houses in a town like Patea you will have a lot of those small drinking shops in every available corner of the town. If a house is required, let it be a good one, and not inferior to the others.

Now bank managers have an opportunity of knowing the financial position of the trades-people, and I do consider it unjust that abank manager should compete with those people. If a banker wants to embark in commercial ; pursuits, let him withdraw from the bank and be on the same footing with other business men ; and I would go farther and say they ought to be prohibited from interfering with the business of their customers. The, precedent is bad, and should be/checked. • Ratepayer.

NO BORROWING. A letter from Mr Walter Small against borrowing for improvements, and against the Bedfo;d-street level, is too long for insertion to-day. The arguments are well put, but they are the same as; were urged by Mr Milroy at public meeting, and are therefore familiar to ratepayers. His objections to the high tramway grade are shared by most people, r ;»p jjbelieve| but he does not allow that the scheme has any merits at all. These lines fairly state the

gist of his lengthy letter, which concludes with this parody;— Constant and sad were the prayers they

said And they spake in words of sorrow, For they always counted the money they i paid And bitterly thought of the borrow.