LICENSING ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8057, 1 March 1906, Page 3

LICENSING ELECTION.

TO Tin; ELIITOH, Si isFrom tUo correspondence you published this morning ou the above subject, it would appear as if tlie President of thu LA'. Asoociatiou were trying to make tlie public believe lie really wanted lo avoid the cost of an election; bill surely the public'can see through the little game. He wants [he fifth mau oil his sule. If this is not so, whore is the point of his objection ? When ho appeared before the Council of the Churches, I am given to understand his only objection to Mr Smith was lack of public experience, but when the Council met him in lliis by nominating Mr Bellr'mger, lie showed that his real objection was something very different. What claim has the L,A'.Association to anything but minority representation on the Licensing Committee ? Did not the public settle the question three years ago, and did it not emphasise the fact at the general electiou in December? On the last occasion a large majority of those who went to the ppll voted that no licenses be granted at all, and it is surely reasonable to suppose that these same people would be in favour of a vigilant temperance committee lo supervise a trade they were not allowed lo wipe out altogether. It is sheer nonsense for Mr Paul to talk about wanting a man "pledged to neither party." The iact of his using the word " party" shows that the thing lias been fought out " taking sides" and pretty well every public mind is known to be on one side or the other. The day of the jelly lisli has gonethank heaven! Mr Paul says " there is now no difference of opinion as to closing hours." What guarantee has the public a> to how long the '• now" will last? Twelve months may see several new faces round the board of the L.Y. Association, and when the now claimants for license appear before the Commit, toe, who can say that they will be satislied with ID o'clock closing:' No, sir. it won't do. The public want 111 o'clock closing; they are satisfied with it, and the Council of the Churches will fail to interpret public opinion if it is satisfied with anything less than three men on the C'ouunitte. I have nothing at all against our worthy Mayor, but why should he practically elect the committee? Where does democracy come in ?—I am, etc., W.G. New Plymouth, February 28th, 19D0.

BOROUGH FINANCE. TU THE EIUTOII. Sill,—ln a leading article in your issue of to-day's date you impute that the Borough Council is responsible for the expenditure on Borough works having exceeded the loans authorised by the ratepayers. I, for one, disclaim any such responsibility. With the exception of the .fill)!) authorised at the Council meeting last Monday, every penny expended in construction works was authurised before 1 became a member of the Council, anil 1 believe ] there are other Councillors who r;iii say the same for themselves.

I am uot concerned iii express anv opinion on Ike question whether the ex icndilurc on construction works in the past kas been justifiable. The works have been constructed, and it i.i the duty of the present Councillors to make tke best use of tkem, otherwise tkeir conduct would indeed be " jiusillaniiuous," as you have straugclv ckosen to describe tkeir past fi-mluri. : lor tke purpose, of meeting the demands of tko public on the eleetne lighting and power service, :iud thereby earning a revenue from the service, the Council is advised thai an expenditure of about JUk.H) M-rteri.-iI is necessary. Tina ex, ndmu'e will not commence until the next tinancial year begins, and will extend over tke greater part of the year. To delay Die authority for the, expenditure until ike fiuanci.it ye.U' is cnt.aU U|ioii would have no oilier elt'eet than ; > postpone the iinie when a revenue may be derived from tke works already constructed. —I am, etc., D.vvin HfiiiiE.v, ?U'W Plymouth, February 2Slh. 11)00.