The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo. MONDAY, MAY 4, 1931. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News and The Echo.

MONDAY, MAY 4, 1931. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

On Wednesday the people of this city and province will be called upon to elect a large number of local bodies for the usual term. It should not be necessary to emphasise the importance of these elections, but unfortunately voters are apathetic towards this duty. The percentage of votes in municipal elections is far lower than in Parliamentary contests. Yet good local government is necessary to the prosperity and happiness of the individual and the nation. In a time of economic depression like this, when waste becomes more of a sin than ever, and a man who can stretch out the capacity of the pound sterling is a public benefactor, the duty of taking an intelligent and active interest in local government is more imperative than usual.

The most important contests in Greater Auckland will be those for the city Mayoralty and the City Council. Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who has been on the Council for two years, and is well known in the city as a successful man of affairs, and Mr. H. G. R. Mason, M.P., are the candidates for the Mayoralty. Mr. Mason is a

candidate of estimable qualities, but his association with the Labour Party introduces a political element into the contest which we do not think is desirable in local government. This paper has long advised voters to include in the Council representation of the wageearning class, these representatives have given faithful service, and there is no reason to suppose that the new Council will lack this clement. A Labour Mayor, however, would be rather a different thing, especially at a time when economy is so important. But this apart, there is an overwhelming reason why Mr. Mason should not be chosen. He is a member of Parliament, and presumably he intends to remain one. No man could possibly do full justice to the two employments of member of Parliament and Mayor of Auckland. Though Mr. Mason thinks so little of this objection that he is offering himself for the Transport Board as well, it is insuperable, and, of course, it applies irrespective of party. Mr. Hutchison's claims on the position are in every way much stronger than Mr. Mason's. As to councillors, electors should consider both the value of past services and the desirableness of introducing new blood. Among the new candidates there are men with experience in business and in local body government that would make them valuable members of the Council. Electors should vote for the ablest men, irrespective of "tickets."

Special interest attaches to the Transport Board election, because it is -the first appeal to the popular vote. After a difficult period the Board is able to exhibit a small profit to a public that is much less critical of the Board's efforts than it was at the beginning. Appreciation of members' services need not prevent citizens from seriously considering whether some new candidates should not bo elected, but they should remember Avhat is at stake in citizens , convenience and in capital invested. The Transport Board manages a very large and important business, and it should be composed of capable, experienced and responsibly-minded men. We hope that Mr. Allum's services will be remembered on Wednesday. No man in local government has been the centre of fiercer controversy, but there is no one in Auckland who has a fuller grasp of transport problems or has given so much time to this particular public service.