Citizens’ Association And Mr Lyons

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25363, 10 December 1947, Page 6

Citizens’ Association And Mr Lyons

In re-electing .Mr Lyons as a vicepresident, thereby tacitly “ burying “ the hatchet ”, the Christchurch Citizens’ Association has shown sturdy common sepse. Those who regretted Mr Lyons’s breach with the association over the mayoral election (while respecting his stand on a matter of principle) feared he might be lost permanently to local body administration in Christchurch; for nothing in this or other recent elections, unfortunately, suggests that independent candidates, however able, have much chance of success while the “ ticket ” system of nomination persists. Mr Lyons is too valuable a public servant to be left indefinitely in the wilderness. Few political organisations, of course, would as readily forgive defiance of party discipline; but the Citizens’ Association has frequently denied that it is a political organisation, a claim which its opponents have as often derided. The association will gain nothing but respect

for affirming the principle >of the complete freedom of individual members to act and to vote as their best judgment bids them. Its nominees on the City Couneil and other local bodies have epjoyed that freedom and have used it. to the benefit, it cannot be doubted, pf those bodies and of the citizens they serve, hfr Lyons’? service to Christehureli citizens—anfl to the Christchurch Citizens’ Asspeiatienreis second to none. Both will be the poorer be ; cause his wide experience and knowledge of national and local government administration may not be available to the City Council for the next three years. The composing of the difference between them means that he will not lack future opportunities to serve the city; and that is a matter for satisfaction.