Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 1st April 1932

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the request of a large number of electors I have decided to offer myself as a Candidate for the above Ward at the forthcoming Election. The work of local government becomes more involved, more difficult, and more expensive and demands men of ability and business experience if the work is to be successfully carried out without the imposition of overwhelming burdens on all classes. In addition to carefully watching current expenditure, it is imperative that any further capital expenditure be more carefully scrutinised. We must have no repetition of. the DEARNE VALLEY RAILWAY mistakes, which are putting from 1s 7d to 1s. 9d on the rates. This means that most! working men are paying roughly 16s. to I7s. per annum for the privilege of owning trams —instead of paying about £85 per week for this privilege the ratepayers might have been receiving a substantial sum yearly for the monopoly had the business been properly handled.

We also require representatives on the GAS BOARD who understood the industry. Here we have an undertaking which has cost about £125,000. purchasing gas at 7d. per 1000 cu. ft. and selling it at 6s. and 5s 2d per 1000 cu. ft., and even then, cannot make ends meet. This year the gas undertaking has been subsidised by you to the extent of a 5d. rate. Heavy capital sums amounting to many thousands of pounds have been spent which have not yielded a single penny income; e.g., the Water Gas Plant which cost you over £l,000 a year. Small wonder gas is dear.

The ELECTRICITY is purchased at from Id. to 1d+ per unit, but you are charged. 6d+ per unit for the lighting of your homes. This is considerably more than the charge in adjoining districts; e.g., Swinton, where current costs about half what you pay. Why is it that Wath-upon-Dearne must pay! and pay again! Can these heavy burdens he made lighter? They CAN it you elect tha right men to tackle the job. After many years of crushing local rates, the time early has arrived when you have been brought to the conclusion that relief can only come to you by voting for people who understand what is required end know how to practice ‘efficiency with economy.

Yours faithfully,

GEORGE PRICE.