>I believe that the the canals are a national heritage, that they are being >used increasingly by the whole of the population and that the whole of the >population should pay for them by a government grant that represents their >national value. The alternative is your way, Adrian. That is to squeeze as >much money as you can from hard pressed boaters. That is as long as those >hard pressed boaters aren't you, in which case you will argue 'fairness' to >protect your own position until you're blue in the face.
>Steve I agree with all the stuff about national heritage, government paying its share etc However that will never be the reality for several reasons. Given the size of the PSBR (which Gordon and Darling are wracking up in an attempt to keep their jobs) there ain't no money. Given a choice between spending money on drugs for cancer patients, relieving child poverty and all the other emotive phrases trotted out by Government, spending more money on canals so we can indulge our hobby will always be way down the publics list of priorities. That's a fact and though everyone attacks Adrian for constantly pointing it out he is at least living in the real world and trying to find a solution. Just shouting him constantly down with the manta "The taxpayers should pay but not me" will not find a solution. Colin [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
