NON-RATEPAYERS AS COUNCILLORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 130, 4 June 1935, Page 6

NON-RATEPAYERS AS COUNCILLORS.

May I be permitted to thank Miss Ella Bastcn" for her criticism of ray plea on behalf of so-called non-ratepayers, and especially lor the attention she devotes to my "glorification", of the so-called unskilled worker who, slip rightly points out, is so often "replaced machinery"? But I cannot follow Miss~~ Basten's line of argument when she claims that we do not insist that the displacing machinery, "the mechanical shovel," shall _s>t on oiir dignified council and administer civic .affairs." I feel sure that Miss Basten will agree that the displaced workers would have plenty of time to devote to civic affairs, and that some of them might even attain to eminence as civic dignitaries or to higher social service as members of Parliament. It must be acknowledged that displaced workers hav.s at least plenty of time to think, and that many of them* have cultured minds and rich gifts' of oratory. It might even be maintained that there is 'a greater obligation to render unpaid civic service on those who contribute least to civic assets, on the grounds that those who pay should not also be expected to devote time and mental labour to administration. Pursuing this line of thought, we should therefore be thankful that so many so-called nonratepayers have offered their services, and have been accepted by the majority of the electors, as citizens capable and willing to devot.3 pa't of their leisure to the work of planning and supervising the activities of the huge ftftffi of paid workers necessary to maintain and improve what is by common consent intended for the free use and convenience of all who dwell in our midst or sojourn with us; \V. J. GATENBY.