SPOTSWOOD’S NEEDS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1921, Page 3

SPOTSWOOD’S NEEDS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Has the Spotswood Progressive League died, of inertia? Because our public bodies are at present rather tied up financially is no good reason why our district should slumber. To progress we should take a lively interest in our afteirfl and be ready for action when the time is favorable. Just now we should certainly meet to go into the matter of the proposed change for rural . mail deliveries. As yet, I have met no one in favor of this further tax, and that means there will be no mail delivery (another retrograde step by the Massey Government). There are two parrot cries of this Government: “Get on the land,” and “Keep the cradle full.” I should like to know’ what inducement there is to a man to take up land, or updertake the bringing up of a family when he is doubly taxed for so doing? All such taxes should cover the whole community, not fall heavily on those who are doing their utmost for the country by producing certain articles for common use, at the same time striving to make themselves independent Now that retrenchment is the order of the day, let the Premier and his Ministers lead the way by reducing their own salaries first of all. Then’ they might consider “pinching” their rich supporters a little here and there with advantage. But that would not do. To I pinch and tax the small farmers and settlers on t'he one hand, and to pinch and retire numbers of civil servants dependent on their salaries on the other hand, is the policy that has always been the refuge of the Government to which the present Premier belong?, when suffering from an attack of "retrenchment fever.” Spotswoodites have also water and lighting affairs to discuss, and I should thing might well join Veale Jtoad on these questions, also on the perennial Devon Road extension subject, and the disgraceful state of the side tracks on Mission Hill. Surely there is some woman (if there are no men) who has energy enough to convene a meeting at some convenient place shortly. Hoping to hear of a move in this direction, —I am, etc., A CORRESPONDENT.