Mayors Keep Old System

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31669, 3 May 1968, Page 8

Mayors Keep Old System

(N.Z. Pritt Association) ROTORUA, May 1. A proposal to change the method of electing Mayors waB strongly opposed when it came before the Municipal Association’s conference tonight.

The proposal was continued in a Takapuna remit moved by Mr H. D. A. Murdoch. It proposed that Mayors of municipalities be elected yearly by a council from its own members in the same manner as counties elect their chairmen. Mr Murdoch contended that the present system of electing Mayors resulted in the loss of many good men to service in borough and city council when they were defeated in a Mayoralty contest.

The Mayor of Takapun* (Mr A. F. Thomas) seconded the remit. .. “Less Wrangling” He said such a method of electing a mayor would result in less wrangling in councils. “I think the people on councils are the best qualified to decide who should be their leaders," he said. The Mayor of Wellington (Sir Francis Kitts) opposed the remit. “Fve seldom seen a remit which condemna itself so much for it* own reasons,” he said.

“I consider thet a majority of electors is a far better way of selecting a mayor than a majority of councillors. “Are electors incapable of deciding who should be their mayor?" he asked. Council Candidate “If that is the ease, then sooner we do away with

democracy in local government the better.”

Sir Francis Kitts pointed out there was nothing to prevent a mayoral candidate also sitting for the council, as he invariably did. The Mayor of Dargavilie (Mr S. S. Green) said that if the remit was implemented, it would mean a mayor would be completely in the hands of his council. “For goodness sake don’t accept this proposal," he said.