For the Good of the City.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17613, 16 November 1922, Page 6

For the Good of the City.

The annual meeting of the Ohristchtyjch CHtusens' and Ratepayers' Association, was not only the occasion of some useful speeches but also served to remind the community of tlie existence of an organisation which reoeives, perhaps, less recognition than it deserves. Existing solely foi' the purpose of making Christchurch a better plaoe to live in and, as a means to that end, of promoting good citizenship, thel Association clesenves the sympathy and practical support of all citizens who take pride in their city. The Association can claim this with the greatest confidence, because it knows no politics or party; its only desite, so far as its administration of the oity's affairs is concerned, is that the best men, (preferably those with experience as well a« integrity and capacity, are chosen, far the task. On the whole it may be claimed that the management of the city is satisfactory, in some respects it is excellent, but no human institution was ever so good that it oould not be better, and there are direotions in which improvement is i possible in the conduct of our municipal affairs and of the various piublio servioes and activities. It js the more likely to, be brought about because of theexistenoe of tbLoi Citizens' Association. There is a great deal that that body could do,, in the way of preparing for the Chriatehurch of twenty-five or thirty years hence, when, as the chairman suggested, it may easily have added, another 60,000 people to its population. Vision is, indeed,' one of the qualities most frequently lacking in both local and national government, and yet one of the most desirable. But the Citizens' Ab» sociation will do well not to dissipate its 1 energy v by'vseeking too many channels of activity. All the reforms Mentioned by tKe chairman may be achieved in time —the concentration of administration in fewer and larger local authorities, the system of cooperating experienced citizens with thei City . Council Committees for special service in matters in which they are expert, the institution of a system for searching; out the poor and needy, .and the creation of a local Board of Health. But for the present the association / may wisely concentrate its efforts. on inducing every citizen to' 1 take a personal interest in the city and in its progress, material and moral. Most residents of Christchurch are proud of the place, and deservedly bo; it and attractions which no one can overlook. But it would be useless 1 to claim that in Christchurch the civio spirit, which translates pride in one's city into a desire to work for itg welfare, is anything like as strong and vivid as it is, say, in Auckland. Auckland people not only believe heart and soul in their city,, but they work for its welfare and development in a manner which compels, one's admiration. No town in the Dominion has been so enriched by benefactions, and the present generation display praiseworthy and enviable generosity when its support is asked for any public movement. One case may be cited. Auckland's war memorial museum is to cost £200,000 or more, and we believe we are right in saying that most, if not all, of the money has been subscribed. If a similar spirit existed in ' Christchurch the committee of our war memorial fund would not still be trying to raise the balance of the few thousands required by such devices as river carnivals and Sunday band performances. There was a good deal in

the suggestion made by one of the speakers at the Citizens' Association's meeting that the Association should be the Progress League of the city, to do for Christehurch what the Progress League is doing for Canterbury. But it must first be able to command the services of the young men as ■well as those of the older men who have already shaped its course. After all, the ambition to make Christehurch the best-governed city in the Dominion is an ideal to which anybody should be proud to devote some thought and time and energy.