The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1913. TO-DAY'S POLL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 244, 5 March 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1913. TO-DAY'S POLL.

A poll of tlio ratepayer- of New Plymouth will bo taken to-day on proposals to borrow ,t42,000 for street improvement, anil Coo,ooo for tin* installation of overhead electric tramways. Of the need for street improvement there can be little doubt. It, is manifest wherever one likes to look. It is (finally certain that these improvements cannot be effected out of ordinary revenue. It would take too long, even if ratepayers were willing to increase their rates to permit of it. A considerable part of the proposed loan will, of course, be self-supporting. Take the proposed water extensions, for -xainple. The sum of £II,OOO is set down for this purpose, and the revenue will more than pay the interest on the outlay. Jverbing and channelling, forming footpaths, tarring and sanding, and similar works, must also, in the long run, pay the borough. Much of this -,\ork, too, will be done in the -üburb- that were recently merged with the borough. The residents of these localities were virtually promised the improvements, and it is a promise which the rest -of the borough cannot honestly overlook. Apart from this aspect, however, it, is a good business proposition to carry out the works as speedily as possible, and we hope the great majority of voters to-day will take this view. In regard to the tramways question, we cannot compliment the Council on the way JI has handled this important matter. Only at the public meeting on Frid'iy evening did its members give the information ratepayers had a right to expect from the

start. The facts and figures adduced at tliat meeting are satisfactory as far a> they go, and that a good oast; for the trams was made out we are not going to deny. At the same time, we. regret very mueli that alternative schemes are not being placed beful'C ratepayers today. namely electric trains and motorbuses. If tlicy were, \ve would have no hesitation in recommending the motorbus. because we believe, notwithstanding all that was said at the public meeting and in the press to the conti'ary, it

would, considering the circumstances of the town, be the better .system to instal. Ratepayers, nowever, are not being given the opportunity to-day of voting on an alternative proposal, and must vote one way or the other on the proposal as it .stands. Tt, is a matter in which they must be guided by their own judgment. It has to be looked at from all sides, and not lightly disposed of. The last word to be said now is, of course, that it is the bounden duty of every ratepayer who is on the roll to exercise the privilege of voting. Wc want a more lively interest on the part of the general public in municipal polities. and if the voters to-day decide upon the installation of electric tramways it will be our business and their business, ungrudgingly undertaken, to see that we get the very best value for our monev.