THE CITY’S MANAGEMENT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 14

THE CITY’S MANAGEMENT

Sir—May I be allowed to suggest that a truce be called on either criticism or electioneering propaganda of our City Council till our two new men have had a fair opportunity of proving themselves. They have a hard row to hoe and they are entitled to a clear run. Without unduly disparaging past holders of the offices of town clerk and city engineer, it eeeme to me that for the first time in its history Wellington has now tho services of two eminently qualified men. I submit that these two men should be given a very free hand both in reorganising the various staffs and in passing all items calling for the expenditure of the ratepayers’ money. They are entitled by their qualifications and positions to assume control and remove for good and all the farce of utterly incompetent men m committee making such a ghastly hash of things. If they were empowered to run the city’s affairs subject to ratification by the open council we should have an end to the disgusting muddlement of the last few years. More than that; if we could remove from well meaning but incompetent, men some of their present powers for evil and put the onus on really qualified men we should be able to get some of our best business men to stand for service in the city’s interest. The fact remains that as at present constituted we have too many men on the council utterly unqualified by training or experience to deal with the large problems of to-day. No business of similar magnitude would tolerate them for a moment. Long service may moan in many cases a well-earned rest and make loom for men who have kept pace with the city’s growing needs.—l am. etc., THOS. PR INGLE. Karori, December 2, 1926.