PARTY VIEWS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28129, 19 November 1956, Page 10

PARTY VIEWS

LIGHTNESS OF POLL DEPLORED

CITIZENS’ COMMENT ON WARD SYSTEM

“We congratulate Mr Macfarlane on his re-election for a fourth term as Mayor of the city,” said Mr H P. Smith, chairman of the general com? mittee qf the Christchurch Citizens’ Association, yesterday. “As it appears almost certain that the electors have chosen a majority of Citizens’ candidates, this must be regarded as a personal tribute to Mr Macfarlane.” It was regretted that Mr Mac Gibbon. the Mayoral candidate, had not been given the , opportunity to complete a long record of service to the community by serving as Mayor, Mr Smith said. ‘‘However, we have no doubt that Mr Mac Gibbon will continue. as he has done in the past, to devote himself to useful work in other spheres,” he added. “I feel sure that Mr Macfarlane will cheerfully accept the public s decision and be willing to work in harmony with a council which includes a majority of Citizens' candidates, and for our part we will be happy ' to co-operate with him. as Mayor.”

he said. “While we are gratified with the success of the Citizens’ candidates on all bodies, we are disappointed, as 'no doubt the Labour Party is. with the comparatively light poll. It may be that the number of voting papers, together with the rather complicated business of voting for councillors, and the fact that many of the candidates are not known to electors, deters a substantial proportion from voting at all. A ward or similar system may well provide the answer to what is becoming accepted as regular—a poll between 40 and 50 per cent. This is a matter under the terms of our policy to which we will give careful consideration.” Labour Comment It was gratifying that the Mayor had been returned, and it was obvious that the people had judged Mr Macfarlane on past performances, said Mr T. Martin, chairman of the Christchurch Labour Representation Committee, commenting on the results of the voting.

“On present figures it looks like a Citizens’ council,” he said. ‘‘The defeat of Labour can be attributed to the apathy of the people in not voting, ft is disappointing that people who have the right to vote fail to do so. In the past men and women have died for the right, and in other parts of the world are still dying for that right to elect their representatives.”