MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21727, 9 March 1936, Page 8

MUNICIPAL BY-ELECTION

TO THE EDITOH OT THE PSESS. Sir,—ln a few days I shall have to exercise judgment as to which of three candidates is most worthy and suitable to occupy the position of the chief civic office of Christchurch. I want a man who can devote his full time to the duties of Mayor, Ido not want a man who Wants to do two or three jobs and collect an honorarium from each. I want, a man who by a long period of unrewarded service shows that, except for the honour, it is the good of the city he seeks and not any selfish ends. I want a man who is not likely to say, or do things that. may smear the dignity of his high office. I want one who can bridle his tongue and control his temper, and show a reasonable tolerance to those who differ from him. I do not think these demands are too exacting. I think there are many in all classes of our community who Will endorse these demands.. The election of Mayor and councillors ought to be a matter of great interest to all citizens; there* must be no neglect or apathy about the matter. Some years ago near Christchurch an election was won by one vote.—Yours, etc., H. R. WILKINSON. March 7, 1936.

TO THE XSITOB OTf TH» PBESB.

Sir,—The municipal by-elections present a problem to the electors without parallel in local contests. To begin with, your leading article of a few days ago denouncing Mr Archer was the most discreditable and cowardly attack upon a public man ever given publicity,, creating as it did something beyond surprise that any reputable newspaper should stoop to such tactics. Its effect, it is hoped, will be the exact opposite of its intended object, that of influencing votes in opposition to his candidature. This sort of “back-door business” is so repugnant to decent citizens that they should rise, in their thousands (and probably will) and show their denunciation 1 by repeating the 10,000 majority they gave him on a previous occasion, a record the city has never Witnessed ‘ before. Yet not one local paper (“The Press” included) comr mented upon it. All, however, were ready to extol and uphold any nonentity put forward by the, so-called Citizens' Association. - It is not a “greed of office” stunt which provokes this dirty opposition of Mr Archer’s Oopohenta, but an inward realisation of their own inadeSiacy beside him. Many writers of is type have, in addition to belittling Mr Archer, fired their random shots at the Trades Hall. , . As explained to me by a .prominent business man in the city to-day, Mr Archer ,has shbwn his. integrity and principle by ignoring these writers. . It is to be hoped and will. I feel sure, be realised., that the same complete rout-will meet the present .efforts ' as at the general election, and on Thursday next their coup de grace be broadcast throughout the Empire;; as evidence of the awakening intelligence of the people of New Zealand.— Yours, etc.,',. AG March 7, 1936.