CITIZENS, RECORD YOUR VOTES !

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 191, 11 May 1938, Page 10

CITIZENS, RECORD YOUR VOTES !

Every citizen whose is on the roll for the local body elections to-day should make a special point of going to the ballot box. During the campaign which ended yesterday the issue before the electors has been plainly stated. Nothing more need be added except to emphasise the fact that a full and representative'poll is necessary in order that the attitude of the local communities throughout the Dominion on that issue shall be clearly and conclusively expressed. On the evidence shown during the campaign we believe that the electors have been thoroughly roused from the apathy and indifference that have characterised these elections in recent years. There has been a gratifying and encouraging reawakening of public interest in the management of local affairs, and it is to be sincerely hoped that this will be reflected in record polling all over the country to-day. Whichever way it goes, and that is now entirely for the electors to decide, the result may well be the writing on the wall. Will it be Socialism, or freedom and independence ? Many voters may feel perplexed by the multiplicity of candidates and the variety of local bodies, but the task of discrimination should not be difficult, because the candidates have ranged themselves on opposing sides on a single issue, and this issue that the electors have been asked to decide. On one side are the candidates nominated by the representation committee of the New Zealand Labour Party, which controls J the Socialist Government now in office, and who are pledged to further its Socialist aims. On the other are the candidates on the citizens’ ticket, nominated by citizens to uphold the principle of free and independent government, irrespective of party, for local communities. Is it to be self-government for the citizens of these communities, or control by the Socialist head centre ? The answer should be a clear and decisive vote for the candidates on the citizens’ ticket. Vote, vote early if possible, but vote.