MUNICIPAL ECONOMY

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 40, 9 October 1931, Page 4

MUNICIPAL ECONOMY

- WATCHFUL.

(To the Editor). Sir, — Your two correspondents, The. Ratepayers' Association and "Thrift" — although viewing the Council's disregard of the signs of the times from different * angles, substantially agree that borough expenditure'is overreaching capacity revenue. To the three eouncillors who are ardently supporting the principle of eautious finance, ratepayers are indebted, for it is evident that with a.defiant opposition theirs is not an easy row to hoe. It would appear from reports of deliberations, that once •within the walls of the ehamber, the wailings from without are inaudible and that such matters as budgets, with their crushing effect or individual incomes, are ignored. Municipal taxation is not an interlude to the heavier national burden and it is to this aspect of the situation that inandible attention should be given. We have to take but one instance; the right to expect, as. the Ratepayers' Association eontends, that an appreeiable saving shall be accomplished by a reduction in the" cost of public serviees and the secretary ,of that organisation hits one at least of the defiant' nails o"n the head, when he presses for administration of the salaries now being paid to officials of the borough staff. TJfe man lower down has been drastically dealt witln. Why then this glaring distinetion? Let us" have a resolute applieation of the pruning knife and then carry on with bare essentials until the return of industrial. and commercial prosperity. What is apparent: is that a policy "of rlgorous economy must be immediately applied, otherwise our Beautifying Society may be replaced hy delapidation and despair. — I am, etc.'