CIVIC DUTIES AND CITIZENSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 25, 29 July 1922, Page 11

CIVIC DUTIES AND CITIZENSHIP

■•'.'•-'.■ '■. TO THE BDITOK. .. .'• .'• :,: -,: '. Sir,—ln acknowledgment of- the letter signed "Citizen" in your issue of the 25th inst., we wish to assure your ,corrosporident, and all others interested; Jhat the Civic Leafrue-desires as fully ropresontative selection: of candidates for the City Council as can be procured.-^ The league came into existence [because the ..Town Planning Association resolved not to taka part in elections. "Citizen" can procure a copy of the league's constitution by npplicntion to the •Gcvetary, and from t.h*t [he will we provision ii mcd» for individual.

membership, affiliation of district municipal associations, and o£ businese establishments, , : ■ ■ ' ' .. ■

The business interests and individual members are represented on, the Council of Management by six representatives, which number will be increased in proportion to increased association with the league. There has not been any experionce of sections of the league ,"each pulling iov themsolyes," but throughout: a reasonable spirit of• mutual confidence has • been manifested. Ijhe personal-reference of "Citizen" to the'league's chairman and, secretary was uncalled for, as both such officers arc- opposed" to -mixing general politics with municipal affairs, and, are in the/ league solely as,', individual citizens. Your correspondent suggests a selection committee of one representative from each of a number of bodies,, but can he be sure that the organisations he names! will be prepared to act Our, experience is that a great many .people , complain whatever course is taken, who, on investigation, are found,.to be in the- position ■of doing nothing at all. . ' -.' ■ ,"•■ •••'••■ . ■''-'.' .-.-If progressive .citizens wish to, see-the Civic, League, made wider in, its application, we suggest that the/right course for them is to join forces with the/league and endeavour,-.to break down the'wide-spread apathy now existing. The greatest trouble is hot.with those who try, and probably make ,somo; mistakes in trying,, but withthe large numbers' of responsible citizens \yho will do nothing. The apathy of gTeat numbers of business people is astounding. It is for such reasons that "we invite the' support of your, correspondent and other 'active citizens. —We are, etc., ' • .' • EXECUTIVE, WELLINGTON CIVIC LEAGUE. 26th July. . . ■ ". ■■,•■■': ,