FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 12

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

PrtCVIRCIIAL BJscrnttaiSi

APATHY REGARDING POLL

(Tram the BEBAID of April 28, 1864.) TeSTEMAT afternoon, at lour o'clock, a number of electors of the City West met In the Courthouse to hear the result of the polling for the vacant seat in the Provincial Council for that Maid. There ■were, as our readers know, two candidates —Mr. Hugh Coolahan and Mr. J. C. Mc L«od-in the field, and the remit of the days polling showed 199 votes for M:. Coolahan and 13 lor his opponent. . . . There is ft noticeable feature in the past election, and that is the apathy which the public of Auckland show in exercising the privileges which a liberal constitution has secured to them. It is no uncommon thing to hear the actions 'of our public men criticised and condemncd-to hear .complaints that the Assembly, or the Council, or the City Board have passed such a measure, or have neglected to pass such another, and yet these men who are tho loudest to complain, will not be at the trouble to .say who shall'or shall not make the laws, which they may he called upon to obey. This apathy is shown in every election which takes plate; and yesterday's was a noticeable instance of it. There are somewhere about COO electors on the roll for the (Sty West, and vet we see but 212 come forward to chose their representative. When, lion ever, the new member shall have voted in his seat, there will doubtless be some of the 688 ■who will find fault with him. Have they any right to do so We say "no:" and we say moreover that a citizen who neglects to exercise the franchise which has been entrusted to him is unworthy of the privilege, and is wanting in his duty to locietv..