The Westport Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1873.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1110, 26 September 1873, Page 2

The Westport Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1873.

Tuk chief objection to the Goldfields Local Seventies Act. raised at the meeting on Wednesday, was that it mi'_;ht be found to press too hardly upon the ratepayers in West, ort, by reason that they would have to pay both Municipal and Board rates! AVith all due respect for the good intent of the proposer of the motion,that the Superintendent shall be memorialised to exempt the Municipality from the operation of the Act, we cannot but think it will be a great pity if such document ever sees daylight. The Act is in no wise antagonistic to muni cipal rule, but will in fact prove a valuable adjunct thereto. Members of the Town Council may become members of the new Board, ami with colleagues representing Addison's and the Terraces may, if they choose, work harmoniously together. The plea that double taxation will prove burdensome seems absurd. The rating powers of the new Act are expressly limited to one twelfth only of the rates 1 leviable under the Municipal Act, anil, assuming that the prayer of the memorial will not be granted, and that the people of Wcstport will be rated under the new Act "one penny' 1 in the pound, will not the Municipal Council have power to reduce the Municipal rates in proportion ? It can matter little to Westport ratepayers whether they pay a Municipal rate of one shilling in the pound, or two rates, one of elevenpence and the other at a penny in the pound. The sole regulation of this matter will rest with the Municipal Council, and it seems childish to propose to throw away the advantages that will accrue to the community under the gradual expansion of powers given by the Local Revenues Act, upon a mere quibble as to the method of taxation. The selfish cry against local taxation in any shape or form was the chief reason why Municipal rule was not established in Westport: years ago, and it is to be regretted that the cry is now again revived in the Coui.cil Chamber. One ether reason against too pre- p 'ate " memorialising " may be found in our telegraphic news. Assuming that the " Nelson Loans Bill" may pass the Upper House, the moneys to be obtained thereby will, to a great extent, relieve the ordinary provincial revenues from many pressing claims for minor purposes, and liberal appropriations to Local Boards should necessarily follow.