EDUCATING THE CITIZENS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14030, 29 April 1911, Page 8

EDUCATING THE CITIZENS.

We would again express a hope that the Citizens' Association, which did such good work in tho recent elections, will not bo allowed to drop out of sight, but that an effort will be made to retain it on a permanent basis. We do not believe the public would think very much of a body which came into existence merely at election time for the purpose of returning a particular set of men, and then proceeded to hybernate until tho next election came round. To be of real value such an Association should be animated by a regard for'principle, and should seek to create a healthy public opinion upon municipal matters. What Christchurch is suffering from is civic apathy, largely j brought about by ignorance of what J the City Council is doing, and what it I ought to do. The system of rating on unimproved values was fastened on tho city by a very small faction, the great j majority of tho citizens not troubling j to go to the poll because they knownothing about the question, and no- j body except Mr Ell (who only gave one side of it), tried to enlighten them. The opportunity of purchasing the Canterbury Hall at a bargain price was lost in the same way, through the indifference of tho great body of tho ratepayers. Everybody can sec now that a mistake was made in not acquiring it. Other important questions are likely to bo brought before the Council at no distant date. The MayorElect is already talking of a loan of £100.000 for macadamising the st^ets— a work that is usually provided for out of revenue. We shall not, of course, criticise the proposal until we have the details, but obviously such a scheme requires consideration before it is sanctioned by tho ratepayers. Great progress has been made in other places in the matter of town-planning, and in a city possessing so many natural advantages as Christchurch, that is a subject upon which its citizens should endeavour to make themselves well-informed. A good deal might bo done by such an association as we have in mind to help - Christchurch to progress, by making known )its advantages as a placo of residence, and encouraging the establishment of suitable industries in the district. That there is room for "work of this kind is shown by the remarkable difference between the rate of increase in Auckland and Christchurch respectively, since the last census. Not a little of the advancement of the former city is j due to tho'systematic way in which it* J advantages are kept before the ; public. Another very valuable func- ; tion the Association might fulfil is to furnish a supply of suitable candidates for municipal office, I chosen from among those who have shown themselves during its deliberations to be possessed of the most i interest in civic affairs, and the most zeal for tho good government of the city. Nobody will pretend that it ie iiot possible to raise still higher the standard of the Council, and when that is done there will be less difficulty in getting good candidates to come ! forward to fill the office of Mayor. There is, it seems to vs 4 an excellent I opportunity now presenting itself to remove the reproach from Christchurch that its citizens know,nothing and care nothing about the good government of the city. We hope it will not be , allowed to pass without, a determined effort to take advantage of it.