Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1946. RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 267, 23 August 1946, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23, 1946. RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION

The fact: that only 16 persons were sufficiently interested to attend the annual meeting- of the Ashburton Ratepayers’ Association, convened for Wednesday evening-, is a matter which calls I for some comment. Under the rules of the Association which lias been in existence for only 12 months, the necessary quorum for the annual meeting- is fixed at the low figure of 20, but after waiting' for 1 some period beyond the advertised time of starting, the number present fell four short of that needed to transact business. It is unfortunate that the first annual meeting of the Association should have* fallen through in this manner, for into the apparent lack of interest can be read l a number of things which may not actually exist, and which may be detrimental to an association which has already done some good and which, if conducted on right lines, can be of considerable value to the town. The consolidation issue may be said to have been the primary cause of the formation of the Association, and this issue it fought strenuously, whether rightly or wrongly. The officials appointed by the original members took a line which they deemed to be in the interests of the ratepayers generally, and they were entitled to express their views. When council vacancies occurred, the Association seized the opportunity to nominate representatives, who were successful at the poll, and since thenelection they have played their part in the conduct of the affairs of the town. But if the Association 'which gave them official backing is languishing, these representatives will not be able to voice the views of a body which claimed to represent a big majority of ratepayers. It is not our function to pick holes in the Association or to point out where it is thought the reason for the lack of interest lies. As has been said, such suggestions may be unsoundly based, and to voice them may be doing the Association an injustice. But it is felt that some effort should be made, by personal canvass or other means, to rally members so that the Association can continue to watch the interests not only of ratepayers but of citizens in general. The members of the Borough Council, we feel certain, would welcome a live organisation such as the Association could be made, provided—and we have said this before —that any criticism it has to offer is constructive. There are many matters in which the backing of the Association would be invaluable. It might even be that a change of name to, say, Progress Association, would bring added support. The Chamber of Commerce has been revived, and should be of value to the business community. A live ratepayers’ oi progress association to support council action in regard to the railway crossings, community centre or other matters of general public interest would result in united action which would undoubtedly be for the ultimate good of the town. It would even be advantageous to the town if the Association were to take over the 'functions of the former Advance Ashburton Association, which accomplished so much good in the beautification and cleaning up of the town, but which has ceased to operate actively over recent years.