Correspondence

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42773, 2 September 1905, Page 2

Correspondence

vVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. TO THE EDITOR.

SiJ, —The thanks of all fair-minded person are due you, for your leading acticle in Te Aroha News of Saturday 26th inst., re Ratepayers Reform Association, ’ ‘ and their demands, viz the ‘ ‘ Separate Riding Account System.” And you justly observe, “There seems little reason why this System should not he adopted by a Council having no facts to withhold, nothing to suppress, etc, etc.’! On my giving notice of motion, that at next Council meeting, I would propose that “The Separate Riding Account System ” be brought into operation within our County, Piako. As I considered it a matter of oquity and justice that each Riding should have the control of its own money, and gave some illustrations of my meaning by instancing the case of the Te Aroha riding. This Riding of Te Aroha seems especially favoured and the chairman in “endeavouring ” to explain why it should be so, was certainly not convincing, as amongst other agencies entitling it to special favour was its geographical position, etc. Now, Te Aroha Riding has for a long time'; certainly from the formation of the township into a borough, enjoyed double representation, that is it has had two members to represent its wants and necessitie.s, whereas it was only entitled to one. It has during the past five lyears, iprior to 31st March 1904, contributed in rates a total sum of £Bo4. If we deduct from that £BO4, Te Aroha’s share of office expenses, travelling expenses, and general management account, on the usual basis of 19 per cent, the general County average of expenses, we have only the small sum of £652 left to spend upon the Te Aroha Riding, roads and bridges, for five years; or a yearly sum of £l3O Bs. Whereas, under the unfair system adopted, it has spent£2,o74 or £1,422 more money than it has collected in rates, This £1,422 imust have come out of the pockets of ratepayers living elswhere, it certainly did not come out of the pockets of Te Aroha Riding ratepayers. And strangest of all, Te Aroha Riding continues to be the lowest rated Riding within our County. Of course, the chairman’s arguments about; the geographical positions may convince some, but Ido not think it will convince the Reformers of the Waitoa Riding. Equity, Mr Editor, is all the Reformers ask for, and most of the abuse heaped upon them in the Council and outside, comes from a certain member, or I should say, one of the double representatives of the “much favoured Riding.” He loses his seat through the new redistribution of seats coming into operation in November next, when let us hope better men will take our places on the Council.—l am, etc. N. A. Labney, i “* Lauriston.