A member stated that more than. half the rates were paid by the Chix nese community and therefore their feelings in this matter should taken into careful consideration. Ho was afraid there would Se consid fable Chinese opposition to the rate Increase. Ax to the balancing the Budget, there were different ways in which this could be accomp-Ushed and it might We argued that more drastic culs should be made, on the municipal services The Chairman stated that 9 large section of the community Is already arguing that the Council is economic. ing 100 much on ils services and at these are already suffering too much. "He did not see how the Chinese community could argue that they should economise more in this direction.
The Treasurer and Controller ask. ed whether members had noticed the reductions in the departmental expenditures and stated that the Agure for the Public Works Department for 1937, which was less than it had been since 1932, was getting dangerously low. He emphasised that it was essential to go through Jwith the rate increase. In 1932, it had to be postponed owing 10 the political troubles. Then came the depression and the Council realised an increase would be impracticable and unfair to the community. Now the depression was passing. Prosperity was approaching and they must return to a normally balanced Budget. Reserves, oF what is left of them, should be conserved for Such deficiencies as may arise in the future and to ald in financing development.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.