LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 45, 17 October 1912, Page 5

LOANS TO LOCAL BODIES.

DISCUSSION BY STRATFORD COUNTY. At yesterday’s meeting of the Stratford County Council, the matter of County finance and loans to local bodies was discussed further, on receipt of a letter from tho Minister of Finance (Hon. Janies Allen), vim wrote acknowledging receipt of a letter covering a copy of the resolution passed by too Stratford County Council with regard to loans. ’“As ) your Council lias been granted more than £BOOO by the State Guaranteed Advances Office, it would be advisable, the letter stated, “to endeavour to raise the required loans tniough same other channel outside the Advances Ollice, as no more can lie granted from that office at the present juncture. Tho Chairman: I am afraid these other people will bo all right—to lump up the interest. Councillor Anderson: I take it nc will have to accept it. The Chairman: As far as I am personally concerned, I am not going to give my vote for raising money outside the Department. Councillor Smith: W hat security could we offer except the rates r 1

The Chairman: What are wo going to do? We want three loans. One creamery' is blocked for the want of a road; a road is required for a new creamery. 1 don’t know what the Council is going to do. There will b - from 1200 to -1500 cows there. All this has been blocked for the want ci money. It is very evident that this Council can do practically no new work. Money lias to be gob under some system—either the Loans lo Lo cal B.odies or State Guaranteed Advances Office. What is tae Counci: going to do? Shall wo resign and lo them’ run the country themselves, or what? Councillor Anderson: Is there no Way of bringing pressure to bear on thorn? Councillor Thompson: Seeing mat we can’t make now roads without loan money—• The Chairman : Not only that, a e v, got no money to re-erect that Stanley Road Bridge. It’s close to the school, and wo can’t make a- roru there. Councillor CbristofFol: Can’t we send a deputation down to Wellington? Councillor Smith: This is a sign of the times. It is going lo be unduly hard in some oases, but they v.ill have to face the music, as they find it. Of course, they can’t do an impossibility. Councillor Anderson moved that the Chairman and Councilor Christoffel bo a deputation to wait upon,the Minister. It was going to ho a serous matter. The Government should no; let a dairying district like this go back. For tho few pounds that the deputation would cost, he consid wed it was'worth while fo push this mat ter. Councillor Thompson: It will cost £2O. ' , , , . Councillor Young seconded the motion-. ■ 1 ' ' ’'' 1 , '

Councillor Walter; Anybito dan sec from the newspapers that, they’ve gof hold of'the positioik ;A. hifirtilior of the members' 'hivVe 'been * oil 3 Goh’iuy Cotin cils, and I, .don’t tliitik it, can bo. put more .plainly*: by {thttn; I think ' pith CrCThOriipsoh, it’shitmey badly Splint. If you look at. the,pgpgrs closely, you will see that there arc twenty after every £l. The country members strongly—l know they are doing all they can. Councillor Smith : There is a tignten ■ ing of the money market. I don’t see that they can do much for the County Councils. • t • 1 - ; - ■ Councillor Christoff el sdEbis is *a spe cial case, and if put before thoiMiuistor something may lie done. Councillor. Walter There, arc cr.sos of the sifmo class all Oyer the country. Councillor Christoff el: I will go down with the Chairman ; I don’t want anything for my time. If the Council is prepared to pay the Chairman’s ex ponses, I am quite prepared to pay my own. Councillor Smith: I don’t see how .the Government can discriminate bo. tween one Council and another. Councillor Marfell: I don’t think they’ve the money to advance. 1 don’t agree with deputations. Councillor Thompson : If Cr. Christoffel is prepared to pay his own expenses, I will vote for it. Councillor Smith: I wouldn’t vote for it on those tornis. . . On a division being taken the motion was carried. Councillors Smith, Marfell, and Walters voting against the motion.