Civic Pomposity

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27733, 10 August 1955, Page 12

Civic Pomposity

If there were the least reason to suppose that public respect for local government might be increased by giving the mayors of our main cities the title of “Lord Mayor” there might be something to be said for this proposal reported to be “ under “ consideration ” by the Government. But it has no such justification. On the contrary, to most citizens it would be precisely’ the kind of pomposity most certain to provoke their ridicule. The justification for the use of this title is to be found in centuries-old traditions that have little or no relevance outside Britain; and Australia’s adoption of the practice is not a good precedent for New Zealand to follow. The Mayor of Auckland says he has frequently been questioned aboutthe “ distinction ” between “ New “ Zealand cities and the capital cities “of Australia, where the chief “ citizen has the status of Lord “ Mayor ”, Australia has at least confined the practice to the federal and state capital cities. Clearly it is not the intention (of whoever is behind the proposal in this country) to reserve the honour for the mayor of New Zealand’s capital; and once the dignity has been more widely conferred it is difficult to siy where the conferment should stop. If it were made plain that the title would either be reserved for the mayor of Wellington or given to tjie mayors of all cities in New Zealand the 25-year-old agitation from Auckland would soon cease. The Government, in any case, has no good reason to encourage this pretentious nonsense.