THE CITIZEN'S DUTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 97, 27 April 1938, Page 6

THE CITIZEN'S DUTY.

It is a healthy sign that there should be no lack of candidates for election to local bodies, and with the closing of nominations to-day it is apparent that, generally speaking, the people of the Auckland metropolitan area will be offered ample choice when they go to elect their representatives. It is important that they should exercise their right to choose. When a man (or woman) accepts nomination for election to a local body, large or small, he signifies his willingness to give time, thought and energy to the community's interest, and the least that his fellow citizens should be expected to do is to spend a few minutes in voting in the election. A borough council whose members find themselves elected by a majority of a minority of citizens has no strong incentive to work hard in the common interests; its members are only human if they begin their activities with the thought that, after all, most people don't care what they do. There is an additional reason' why citizens this year should take a keen interest in municipal elections. It was frankly expressed by the national president of the Labour Party, Mr. J. Roberts, Avho said: —

"On this occasion the results of the local body elections will be used by our opponents, if suitable to them, in their general election campaign. If we succeed, and I know we • will, our success at the local body elections will be used by the Labour movement also with good effect.''

That is a useful reminder to all people, especially to those \yho deplore the introduction of party politics into local government. However much they deplore it, it is a fact. It is also a fact that the Labour Party regards the forthcoming local body elections—only a fortnight off —as an important preliminary to the general elections. Opponents of the Labour Party therefore cannot treat them lightly.