THE PRESS THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1982. Participation by electors

Press, 4 March 1982, Page 16

THE PRESS THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1982. Participation by electors

Electors in the South Ward of Christchurch City are showing a special interest in the processes of local government. Many City Councillors may be delighted; by this evidence of a desire on the part of citizens to play a larger part in the democratic process. A petition has been opened in the ward seeking a by-election to fill the vacancy on the council caused by the death of Sir Robert MacFarlane. Five per cent of electors, 1175 people, have to sign the ■ petition for a poll to be held. Otherwise the council can go ahead with its proposal to fill the vacancy by appointment. So far the petition has received more than 600 signatures. The petition is a form of mini-referendum, an indication of the " wishes of electors in the South Ward. If enough of those electors “vote” with their signatures' for a say in who will represent them on the City Council, a poll will be held.. ■ ■ r

The outcome of the poll might well provide the council with the same new member who has been proposed , for appointment. Electors in the ward would have the satisfaction of knowing that their wishes had been consulted; the winner of the poll would know that he or she enjoyed the confidence of the electorate. The cost of the poll, estimated to be about $16,000, has to be measured against the knowledge that democratic processes are being followed.

The Labour Party, with a big majority on the City Council, has proposed to fill the vacancy by appointing Mr A. G. James. As a first step this is an economical and a legitimate decision. Mr James was the most successful candidate in the ward

among those who did not gain election in October, 1980. At that election Labour, candidates filled the first three places. The fourth seat for the ward went to Dr M. F. Fahey of the Citizens’ Association, who polled 5080 votes. Mr James, with 4805 votes, missed election by 275 votes. Below Mr James came three other candidates put forward by . the Citizens’ Association. Of these, Mrs H. M. Bonisch polled best with 4363 votes, 442 votes behind Mr James.

If a by-election is held it might be a three-way contest. The petition for a poll has been organised by the Social Credit Political League’s candidate in the Sydenham electorate at the last General Election. A Social Credit or independent candidate would be unlikely to gain a place on the City Council. The presence of a third candidate would, however, give electors in ■ the South Ward a wider choice. Seventeen months have passed since the City Council election. Councillors and electors might welcome an event that would indicate public sentiment about the council’s performance. In the interests of encouraging the participation of citizens in local government, the council should even offer assistance to the petition’s organisers. This would mean helping to put the petition in front of possible signatories in the ward. Most may yet ignore it; but they would be having the say that belongs to them. If a great majority of electors are happy with the proposed appointment of a new councillor, or if they believe that the cost of a by-election is unjustified, the petition will lapse for want of sufficient signatures. As an indication of contented electors this, too, should please the council.