16 MAY 1914, Page 17

ADVERTISING HEALTH RESORTS.

[7'o roc EDITOR or THE •' Betenroa.'9 SIR,.--Will you kindly allow me to reply to Mr. Kilburn (Spectator, May 9th) ? surely be and the residents to whom he refers do not desire to be selfish enough to enjoy the advantages of seaside resorts, brought about through adver- tisements, without contributing to the cost ? I would, how- ever, point out that, so far from advertising increasing the rates, it has the entirely opposite effect. Mr. Kilburn mentions Margate in his letter, and I would tell him that practically all the advertising of this town at present is undertaken by the Margate Chamber of Commerce (a private body), with the result that there are no houses to let in the town—and the demand for houses is constant—owing to this happy state of things. The rates this year have gone down no less than fonrpence in the pound. I would remind Mr. Kilburn that under the Bill the local Councils will not Lave unlimited powers, but the cost of advertising is to La limited to a penny rate. I firmly believe that if the Bill passes fewer people will be attracted abroad by the cheap trips, and that the residents as well as the business people of English seaside resorts will greatly benefit. I would like to add that there are many private residents here who are members of the Margate Chamber of Commerce, and who appreciate and understand the benefit of advertising the town.