THE CITIZEN'S BUSINESS

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 108, 3 November 1926, Page 6

THE CITIZEN'S BUSINESS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—You will excuse me butting in on the amusing correspondence taking place between Mr. John Hutcheson and Messrs. J. D. Sievwright and W. Stuart Wilson. It is the citizens' business to give their opinion. Even Mr. Hutcheson, who appears to advocate a policy of silent consent for others, cannot refrain from laying down the law. For some reason not disclosed this correspondent has constituted himself counsel for the defence of the Mayor and councillors, whilst the other writers are acting for the prosecution. It would be a mistake to suppose that any of them have either been chosen or briefed for the case. They are all three free-lance advocates—very free! Each of them is most positive on several matters which the general run of citizens prefer to reserve judgment on. Personally I like the style of all three, as it leaves no ground for doubt or uncertainty. Mr. Hutcheson, in his opening address, was a little unfortunate in -the metaphor he used,' having, reference to dogs and fleas. Even a councillor may take umbrage at being classed with dogs, more especially with the kind of dog which finds trouble from the other cseature named. _Of course, the advocate in this instance' is a man of original thought. He seeks, for instance, to impress the jury with his novel conviction (or is it fancy?) that ratepayers' associations show a dangerous tendency in the direction of Tammanyism. In this connection he scorns all need of evidence, relying entirely on the indisputable fact that it is he who has said it. From this flight of imagination he descends to the more prosaic and familiar form of address. He assures the Court that he knows the Mayor and councillors and prefers them to everybody else. He adds that the council is bound by Acts of Parliament, whilst engaged in the laborious task of cleaning out an "Augean Stable." Probably this is meant as an appeal to the emotions of the jury. It certainly stirs my deepest sympathies. The climax of Mr.. Hutcheson's, eloquence is reached in his peroration. In this he advises all and sundry to elect the best Mayor and councillors they can get; and then support and encourage them. Could anything be simpler or more wise? Choose those you want and support whom you choose. It really makes a perfect slogan, but,for the omission of the words, which were probably implied, "right or wrong." What a remarkable case this discussion makes.. It opens with the defence, then follows the prosecution, and possibly may finish up with a general withdrawal, no costs being allowed to anyone. Being strictly impartial in my views I submit for consideration the following free opinions:—The three disputants > are but one in their style, methods, and attitude of mind. All may be classed as extreme. One contends that the present Mayor and councilors are in all respects right and can scarcely be improved on. The others maintain that they are wholly wrong, and ought'to be entirely abolished. All three agree in the view that citizens have a right to express their opinions, with the reservations that such opinions should be the same as their own. Such discussion about the Mayor and councillors, outside tribunals, the people who will criticise, and other generalities, does not help in the least towards a clear understanding of the specific issues of works and expenditure which constitute the citizens' business—seeing they have to pay. The people's representatives are not as black as they are painted or as white as they look. They are just average citizens, and without disrespect to any of them the electors are faced with the problem of securing the services of as many as possible, a little above the average m capacity. The Mayor and councillors should be thought of not as servants or rulers, but as leaders in the associateadvancement of our city. Are they capable as counsellors, is the real test of whether they are fit to be councillors. Citizens do not knowingly elect dictators, and they resent mere figures.—l am, etc., CYNTCUS.