The Press WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1936. The Municipal By-Elections

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21729, 11 March 1936, Page 10

The Press WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 1936. The Municipal By-Elections

Tp-day, the electors of Christchurch have to choose a new mayor and three new city councillors; Less than three weeks ago, when Mr J K. Archer, Labour's nominee for the mayoralty, opened his campaign, he said: "This is a party fight. Dp not make any mistake about that. It is a social, economic, re- " ligious conflict.. It is a clash of principles, "policies, ideals, activities. It is a struggle be"tween private and public interests." This by-election, in short, was to be a kind of political Armageddon in which Mr Archer, solitary representative of the forces of righteousness and enlightenment, stood against opponents whose principles, ideals and policies were either contemptible, or meant nothing. The truth is that what Mr Archer said on this occasion is so much airy nonsense. But since these observations were made in his opening speech, they must be accepted as the basis of his campaign. Mr Archer's self-confessed desire was to make the mayoral election a social, economic, religious conflict. Fortunately, the elections are without significance to the extent that they will not affect the existing balance of power on the City Council; but this does not mean that the people of Christchurch should take them lightly. The Citizens' Association has put forward three candidates for the City •Council who would be assets to the most im-. portant local body in Canterbury. These men are willing to give their, time to the service of the community, and it is an offer that should not be rejected carelessly. The Labour party, on the other hand, submits three candidates whose qualifications are in no way outstanding. The main issue, however, is the mayoralty. It is important that the best selection possible should be made. As the independent candidate has no chance of election, the contest is between Mr J. W. Beanland and Mr Archer. For many years now Mr Beanland has given a great deal of time to public service in Christchurch. and it would be a gracious tribute to his past public-spiritedness if he were to be honoured now with.the mayoralty of the city he has served so long and so well. He would bring earnnest enthusiasm and dignity to the office, and it is certain that he would deal generously with those whose political affiliations differ from his own.