THE MAYORALTY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21449, 15 April 1935, Page 18

THE MAYORALTY

TO TU» EDITOR Or THK PRSiS. Sir, —Advocates cf "cne man, one job," and they are by no means in a minority, will be interested in a letter which appeared in the "Auckland Star" of last Tuesday, the day following that on which the candidature of Mr A. J. Stallworthy, M.P., for the mayoralty of Auckland was announced. The letter was signed "Citizen," and the arguments he advances in support of his contention that the Parliamentarian should stick to his Parliamentary job apply with equal force in Christchurch as in Auckland. The Ict- ! ter reads as follows:

"Mr A. J. Stallworthy, M.P., is prepared to accept nomination as a candidate for Mayor. It wouict be interesting to know if the deputation that requested Mr Stallworthy to stand arranged with him to retire from Parliament at the next elections. If not did they come to any understanding with him with reference to the division of his time? I claim that it is a physical impossibility lor any man, no matter how capable or worthy, to represent the citizens of Auckland as Mayor and at the same time carry out his duties as a member of Parliament. Daily attendance at the Town Hall is an absolute necessity for the Mayor. Regular meetings of the full council are held every three weeks during the period Parliament is sitting and it would be impossible for Mr 'Stallworthy to be in Wellington and Auckland at the same time. Every member of Parliament has stated over and over again that the demands made upon his time are so heavy that he cannot attend to any personal business, and that he is fully justified in requesting reasonable payment for his services as an M.P. There is another almost as important issue to be considered. Municipal government and Parliament are in many cases opposed to each other. For example, on the water rates question. Parliament takes the stand that Government business and State-owned properties should be exempt from taxes. The municipal councils say "No." If Mr Stallworthy, M.P., is prepared to give the citizens a guarantee that if elected Mayor he will retire from Parliament there is nothing further to be said. Members of Parliament arc paid, and their job is to represent the citizens of the electorate and the Dominion in Parliament. One-man-one-job is a good principle, particularly as regards municipal and Parliamentary representation. This is not a personal attack 011 Mr Stallworthy. In my opinion he is doing good work in Wellington, but he cannot—no man can—do justice to both jobs." , . , , It is to be hoped that Christchurch municipal electors will bear in mind these observations when casting their votes for the mayoralty on May B. Yours, etc.. cms _ April 13. 1935.