To the Editor of the 'SNonrit-Cinna Darcy News"
SiMe. Annnowo does not ko: Ielter-writers to have pseudonyms, fam sorty to be unable to oblige him. 'Temust Just point out that the blame for the expense incurred on' the Telephone commission rests on the Council and not the ratepayers. the Counelt had listened to the advice of its experts and published in good Ume before the meeting of 1996 the full details regarding the proposed message rate agreement instead of Teaving matters to the last minute, the Japanese resolution would have been lost, For the rest T refer to your own comments. on the general' Gonduet of that meeting Mr, ARNOLD should not presume on his auditors' Ignorance—or must. T say his hosts' indulgence, No doubt you will faithfully deal with his courteous refferences to the Press. The tendency to muzzle adverse opinions is more obvious than ever, I can quote instances If necessary. May T add that you should not be upset at falling to meet Mr, ARXHoLD's approval. You might, take it as a compliment.
-Slianghal, Apr. 3, Criticizing ths Council To the Bditor of the "Nonri-Cuuwa Dany News"
Sin—Mr, H. E. 'Arnhold sade the Chartered Accountants' dinner the opportunity to deliver an unofficial swan-song, and to get back at some of the orities who have been rather unkind at times in their remarks. His slap at those of the armchair "and anonymous variety can be forgive even though Mr, Arnhold knows well as anyone else the danger whicl the average individual here runs if ho comes out into the open and Speaks as he thinks Even those who do not always see eye to eye with Mr, Arnhold are quite willing to pay tribute to the enormous amount of work has done in the service of the community, and though per~ haps such close association with public requirements has brought its Own reward in some measure, he will bbe prepared fo admit that many who would be personally very pleased to follow. in his footsteps, are prevented from offering their services for the very good reason that their employ ment "does not permit of their The reference to the Telephone enquiry cannot be allowed to pass en-Urely unchallenged. The ratepayers voted in favour of the investigation, largely owing to the fact that not one of Councillors or others on the plat~ form was able to get up and show the utter fallaciousness of Dr. Inul's calculations. AN that was needed to swing the vote the other way was for grmeone with a knowledge of the facts and Agures to get tip and explain them—to show how Dr, Mui was adding up percentages of gross revenue, net income: and net profits fas {f they were ull one and the same!
Mr. Arnhold excuses many of the Council's inactivities on the score of the Inadequacy of the Land Regul tions, but tt is obvious that the latter are not always to blame, The Rickshaw problem was largely the result of non-application of the Meencing conditions; had these been implemented from the beginning the racket in connection with the and transfer of licences would never have arisen and the industry could have been properly controlled all long, From' the: Housing Report Just issued It must also be obvious that the unauthorized conversion of houses, into; tenements and factories could have been kept within, bound: had the Counelt troubled to exerels its powers under the Building Rules and Bye-Laws. And as regards tra fic problems, whilst agreeing—with Mr. Arnhold that the regulations troduced last year have brought sbout great improvement, it Is patent that there is room for to be done for the betterment of general road and trame conditions, I venture to suggest that the Setti ment's problems have reached their existing dimensions (o a large extent by the accumulation of inactivities and negligences over a number of years—the avoidance of which would of have affected the Rate question any way, The growing desire to see a betterment of living and working conditions for the masses is a healthy sign 4a such a community as ours, and should be regarded as an intelligent anticipation of the time when labour will rise up and make even greater demands for Itself, The figures in the Housing Report: speak volumes to the need for an adjustment of wages {0 the cost of life's minimum requirements; and peacefully otherwise, that adjustment 1s bound -to come—perhaps earlier than we expect!
The difficulties which beset the administration of the Settlement under its present chatter are freely
figent interest in such matiers. There e-no need for Mfr. Arnhold or his fellow Councillors to feel personally saflronted by very whisper of eritiefom which they hear—nor 40 regard uch cerilloism aa an indication that their services to the community are wot adequately appreciated. Why, he admits disappointment because he was not heckled at @ recent mecl-Ing—showing: that ne regards public work without criticism much os he Tight: beef without mustard
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.