MAYOR’S SXUB TO WESTOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1921, Page 4

MAYOR’S SXUB TO WESTOWN.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The feeling which has been aroused over the Mayor’s attitude regarding hydro-electricity has overshadowed another action of his—taken at the same meeting as that at which he slammed the door in the face of British enterprise. I allude to his dictatorial attitude in telling the women and children of Westown that they wjll have to learn to walk, and that when the ’bus is taken off for overhaul it is not going to be replaced. The score of expense cannot be allowed to cloud the issue, for that would not be gr-at; it simply means that the Mayor doesn’t cine how the women of Westown, laden with their parcels, fare as they trudge their weary way. which includes one of the longest and steepest hills in New Plymouth. I would like to ask you, Mr. Editor, is it not a fact that the Borough Council, having provided a ’bais service and so attracted people to Westown, is morally bound to maintain that service? If something happens to the mail train to-morrow would the Government suspend the service? Of course they wouldn’t, because the Government realises that they are the servants of the public and are bound to stand by their contract with the public. Surely things have come to a pretty .state when one man, losing complete grip of the fact that he holds a position in the interests of public welfare, can rule that the people of Westown have got to learn to walk. What do we pay our rates for, Mr. Editor? I recognise there are many benefits, and the ’bus service is one of them, and the Borough Council is bound to maintain that service or it is collecting our rates on what is nothing short of misrepresentation. It is time the ratepayers were aroused and told the Mayor to walk!—l am, etc. WESTOWp.