STRATFORD'S LOAN PROPOSALS.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1920, Page 6

STRATFORD'S LOAN PROPOSALS.

POLLTNO TO-DAY

(Form Our Own Correspondent.)

The Stratford loan proposals will be suhnitted to the ratepayers to-day, and polling will take place in the Borough Council Chambers, Broadway, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. All ratepayers are entitled to vote, and it h hoped that they will endeavor to get to the poll and record their votes. The loan proposals have been fully explained to the ratepayers on various occasions, and, briefly, they provide for the raising of a loan of £129,500 for a full-width bridge across the Patea River, extensions of the water and sewerage systems throughout the borough, street improvements, public conveniences, public weighbridge, and improven en t a t 0 King Edward and Victoria Parks. The whole of the proposals will he submitted in one issue, and ratepayers will have to vote for'the lot or none at all. This provision has been made in order to prevent sectional voting, which might have the effect of giving one section of the borough an advantage over the other,, sections.

The rates will not, bp increased until 1022-23, and then by only Cs lid in the £IOO of unimproved value, if the loan is carried; but if the loan is defeated, the rates will be increased by a much larger amount, owing to so many essential works having to be carried out. Under the scheme only £IO,OOO can be borrowed in any one year, and thus the rates can only be increased gradually, and the town will reap the benefit of loan money for many years to come»

The arguments against the loan are verv few, for most progressive people realise that Stratford has been losing ground, owing to the failure of the ratepayers in former years to adopt a progressive policy in regard to its streets, water and drainage systems. The chief thing to-day is for all progressive ratepayers to make a point of recording their votes, because if the loan is defeated it will be due only to the apathy of the public. *