DISAPPROVAL SHOWN

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 198, 19 May 1941, Page 9

DISAPPROVAL SHOWN

Dictatorial Methods In Government

CITIZENS’ COMMITTEE COMMENT

“We feel that the citizens of Wellington went out to vote on Saturday with a strong determination to register their disapproval of dictatorial methods being used in any form of government in this strongly democratic country,” said Mr. H. H. Miller, chairman of the Citizens’ Election Committee, in an interview last night. “While there may be room for differences of opinion as to the value of and necessity for party politics functioning in national government,” he said, “there is no room for doubt when considering the danger to citizens of ‘party ■politics’ impinging on local body administration. It has been tht long considered opinion of the Wellington Ratepayers’ Association that party politics should not be tolerated in local body affairs, where, it. will be readily conceded. the principal activity of members is to frame an administrative policy which will spend wisely the rates collected from citizens by the levy the law allows. Members o£ local bodies are, more than anything else, trustees, not law makers, and there is no necessity even to consider party issues in the deliberations of such bodies. “As chairman of the Greater Wellington Ratepayers’ and Citizens’ Election Committee,” said Mr. Miller, “I should like to join with the president, Mr. Stanton Harcourt, in conveying the thanks of the committee to those citizens who have shown such confidence in the personnel of the Citizens’ Ticket. “We consider the splendid results obtained at this election to be no personal triumph for the committee, or those elected, but a clear direction from electors to those elected that the trusteeship placed in the'ir hands must be taken seriously, and that their administration .must, always face up to the truest democratic principles. "The election committee feels confident. that Hie successful candidates may be relied upon, specially in these difficult; times, to study the interests not only of ratepayers but also of all sections in the community.”

TOP OF THE POLL The electors of Wellington for the second election running paid a great tribute to Mr. R. A. Wright by placing him at the top of the poll. He won 23,530 votes in 1938 and 19,468 on Saturday. Mr. Wright is a former mayor of the city mid for a long term represented what is now tlie Wellington West electorate'in lite House of Represej datives. He is a former Minister of Edueal ion. Mr. W Appleton moved up from fourth place in 1938 Io second on Saturday and -Mr. M. Fraser went from fifth to third. FORMER MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL Mr. It. MeKeen, member of Parliament since 1922, and Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker of !I he House of Representatives, has I been a member of .the city council for 16 years, and of the harbour board for six years. In 1938 he was returned to tlie city couneil with 23,458 voles, the second highest total. Un Saturday he received 12.517 votes. Mt. Cbapmati, M.P.. Iras been a i member of Hie city couneil for IS i rears and of the harbour board for 15 years. Votes for him in Hie elly council poll fell from 22,111 in 193$ Io 11.697 on Saturday. Mr. P. M. Butler litis been a member of the city council for eight years. Mr. A. Black for six years. Mr. Brindle, M.L.C.. for eight years, and Mrs. R. Semple for three years. COUNTY COUNCILS HUTT ’Pearce. W. IL M. ’Blackley, S. ’Bratley. F. ’Maher, J. J. ’Button, IL 1.. ’Yahlwyn, J. B. iTlie tibuve are elected unopposed.) WHANEROA RIDING. *\ ick.'trinan. F. W 3tl» I leudersoil, A. S IS-> ’I mlieutes sillitsg member. MAKARA MAKARA HIDING. ’Hume. W. P ’Windley. E 203 ’Purchase. J 127 Monaghan, 11. J *26 (The above tire elected.) ’Luxton, S. G. 117. Phillips. C. H. 91. Kettlewell. F. 79. PORIRUA HIDING. “Botham ley, IL W 237 ’Mexteil. V 221 ' Park. A. D 213 *Mext:ed, IL G. 18-« • Hallidav. G. .158. Corney. E. W. 12$. • (’■lark. P. .1. C. ILI