The Dominion FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1911. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1096, 7 April 1911, Page 4

The Dominion FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 1911. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

It is rather disappointing to find so little interest being taken in the coming municipal elections for tho city and surrounding boroughs. Nomination clay is now less than a fortnight away, and save for a few enterprising Labour candidates and an odd candidate or two outside the ranks of Labour, next to nothing i; known of the likely contestants. The indifference of the public is well indicated in the fact that Mr. Wilford seems likely to be re-elected without opposition to the office of Mayoi of Wellington. There is no good reason—no reason at all, in fact— why Mr. Wxlfoed should be re-elect-ed Mayor, unless it is that it, can bo claimed for him that he has displayed some virtue in leaving well alone. Otherwise, looking back ovei the past twelve months, it is difficult to see what claims Mn. Wilford can put forward to warrant citizens bestowing on him a further period oi office. In any circumstances, however, it is regrettable that there is not to be a Mayoral contest. These annual struggles serve two good purposes. In the first place they give citizens nn opportunity of learning more about the affairs of the cit-j than they can learn in any othei way. The probing and discussior which take place during a hotlycontested municipal election ofter bring to light matters which arc ol concern to everyone—especially tc the ratepayers—and the difference! of opinion which are ventilated an not without their value in guiding the future actions of councillors But further than that, these election! attract public attention to municipal matters, and anything that as sists to interest citizens in the conduct of their own business affairsfor the business of the municipality is the affair of every good citizencannot fail to be of benefit to the community. Seeing that to all appearances there is not to be a contost for the Mayoralty in Wellington this year, greater interest t-har usual should concentrate on the elec tion of councillors. We are afraic that the public generally know vorj little of the work of councillors, anc therefore have very little to guide them in making a choice. It ha; gone out of fashion in the city foi candidates for seats at the Conner table to address public meetings, anc m consequence they are elected 01 rejected in a great many cases or purely personal grounds or fron ignorance of their qualifications Ihc Labour candidates are an exeep tion to this rule and it is to theii credit that this is so. They mala their pJatform known and howcvci much one may disagree with them or certain points, their enthusiasm ir the face of discouraging attendance l is wholly commendable. One ai least knows where they stand anc what they stand for. Moreover, ii has to be borne in mind that thej have boon working very hard enrol ling their supporters for some tin* past and unless some of the othei candidates bestir themselves there i' a very fair prospect of Labour beat ing them. So far as we are awan MR. J. G. Castle is the only candidate outside Labour who has yet troubled to put his views befor-i th< nublic; the remainder seem to hi holding back. This is not the wa, to win an election. It shows littl. regard for tho electors to ask then to vote in the dark, and candidate will only be treated as they deserve it those,citizens who realise that i" is their duty to cast their vote; with a proper regard for the moc government of the city, show theii resentment of the tactics pursued to ignoring the candidates who as! them to vote blindly and take thei ■ion mS supporfc as bc J"°nd q»es