THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22400, 13 May 1938, Page 6

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

TO THR EDITOR OW TUB FXKS9, Sir,—We listened to Mr Macfarlane’s speech on Wednesday night after he had been elected Mayor of Christchurch and aamired his manly referencc to his opponent and the clean fight for the election. Surely it was out of place to finish up by attacking the newspapers in the manner he did. A Mayor, as representative of the citizens of a city* must be broad minded, and realise the high standard expected of him. A very fine article appeared lately in a literary column on all that a mayor of a city stands for the world over and the high ideals he should try to live up to. To put on one side all party spirit and represent fairly citizens of every rank is certainly part of his office, not to start the first Speech by abusing the newspapers, which give a most fair-minded hearing to all that is for the good of the community.— Yours, etc.. BRITISH. May 12, 1938.

TO TUB EDITOR OT THE PIIEBS. Sir, —The defeat of Dr. Guthrie and the Citizens’ Association candidates is a mystery, and can only bo explained fn one way. and that is that Labour took no chances, while we on the other side, were too sure and a great many citizens failed to vote. The new Mayor’s first act was an ungracious one, for it was a complaint against the newspapers. I did notice that one paper Published a little about Dr. Guthrie’s family tree, but if Mr Macfarlane had wished it, X am sure that paper would have willmgly extended the same courtesy to him. However, the result of the elections all over New Zealand must greatly disturb Mr Savage, for , th f. elect have recorded a very decisive vote against Labour. _ , Take the four mam cities. We find that for the four Citizens candidates there were cast 85,634 votes, and for the Labour candidates only 66.037, giving the four Citizens candidates a majority of nearly 20,000. this must be a shock, and will built, small comfort, while it ought greatly to buck up the National Party. It seems to me that it is the handwriting on the wall, and next election will see Mr Hamilton at the head of a New Zealand Government. Of course. Christchurch will not help m this direction. unless Ihe National supporteis wake uu; and it seems that until wna happened in New South Wales under the Lung Socialist Party happens here in New Zealand, our local voters will sleep on. Let me congratulate the voters in Now Zealand for declaring so plainly against Labour^You^tc.. May 12. 1938.