THE CITY'S PROGRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 145, 16 December 1926, Page 24

THE CITY'S PROGRESS

VALUE OF PUBLIC CRITICISM

"Tha progress of our city rests on the foundation of regard for reason, and truthfulness. Right judgment and truth are best safeguarded by tho free expression of public opinion," states Mr. D. M'Laren. "It was very opportune, I think, for the City Solicitor, Mr. O'Shea, at the Corporation's SUIT Club gathering, to dwell on the progress of our city and the public services rendered by many prominent men, both, of the past and the present. "As an ex-councillor of the city, I cast my mind back to the time when I first entered the council. The progress of our city »lnce then Is something the citizens can well be proud of. In those past days there was no Town Hall. The whole of the city offices were in a few rooms In Brandon street. There was no bitumen laving, no wood block 'streets no buses, no electric trams, no power and lighting station, no high level reservoirs, few parks and sports grounds, and an absence of hundreds of amenities which the citizens now enjoy. I hold a silver token given me to travel as a councillor on the old horse trams. The tlty has travelled a long way since then. What are the factors which have made for this great progress? I should say they are the general industry of our people; the natural advantages of Wellington's situation; the sacrificing spirit of many public men and women, and last but certainly not least, our British inheritance of freedom la expression of opinion. There have been many thousands of citizen;! who have helped In making the city what it is to-day whole names are never heard of. bur city's progress is due to many helper!!, much thought and discussion, and ability to learn even from mistakes to do better as the years Increase In number. WHAT IS CRITICISM? "I have been somewhat amused In hearing councillors of to-day complaining that they are subject to much criticism—as if they were the flrat public men who had ever been criticized. One councillor has protested that 'the petty criticism falls like water off a duck's back' is far as the councillors are concerned, but at the same time he took great pains to resent what he said did not affect them. My experience is that some of the present councillors resent all criticism and take up the attitude of assuming that they know best on every occasion. The address delivered by Councillor W. H. Bennett before the Civic League annual meeting was heard in silence only broken by some laughter at the end, when the councillor indulged in what was ' clearly rhetoric. The lecture did not concern the audience. Only In one part did tho councillor address the league's members, and that was to tell th«m that councillors have a more general knowledge of the city's works than they have, which none of the league's members will question for a moment If the statement meant that each and every councillor knows all thire is to know, It was such a statement as could only be met with a smile. What Is particularly interesting Is ft) note that councillors who are condemning critics in genera] fail to realise that thoy themselves ara critics. What, after all, Is criticism! It is simply expression of opinion. Surely, then, citizens who tre not councillors have as much right to express their opinions on public matters as councillors have. To attempt to stifle public opinion by representing criticism as an offence is the worst offence of all. I hope, the time will never come when citizens will bo prevented by brow-beating or any other means from freely expressing tfiek opinions on public affairs, as such would prove very bad for the city. I Join with Councillor W. H. Bennett, an the Civic League does, In objecting to Innuendo and abuse. That is not criticism, but more of the nature of slander. It Is regrettable that the councillor in charging critics with bo attacking councillors did not specify whom lie was referring to. It certainly does not apply to critics in general. To Infer that citizens should remain silent when blunders are committed which cost the citizens much needless expense Is asking too much of the public* patience. Criticism is of real value to the city, because it leads to the rectifying of errors and prevention of abuses. It was due to public crlti".;m that the milk service was placed on a sounder business basis than obtained at first. Criticism led to better administration of the street paving works. Had there been more open criticism of the Northland Tunnel project In the early stage, the city might have been saved considerable loss. As the Mayor and councillors desire to advance the city's interest they . should value criticism, and not treat the opinions of private citizens as if it were an affront to their dignity and a reflection on their honour. Dignity wMch requires much bolstering becomes In time a little Questionable. COUNCIL AND CITIZENS. "What I havo now to say may give offence though there is none intended. Councillors lire elected as individuals, and not aa a body. The electors are not asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the whole council. I say' this because ut the present time certain councillors lire vlitually asking that the councillors be accepted as a whole, and other citizens who may wi;ih to serve tho city practically excluded. A custom has grown up in the City Council which in my opinion, If It is worth anything, Is dangerous' to the city. When the, majority of the council is of one opinion, or vote in one direction, the rest are expected (from a false sense of loyalty) to keep silence .or pretend that they also are of the same mind. It is right, of course, that decisions of the council should bo respected, but to set up a standard of pretended unanimity and cover it with the mantle of 'hush' Is to turn the council into ■ caucus, the seertts of which must on no account be disclosed. This secrecy is not helping, but hindering, the progrese of the city, as it strikes a blow at, the mutual confidence which should exist between the citizens who are councillors and those who are not. I recognise fully and frankly the great amount of time and service that tho Mayor and councillors render to the city at considerable personal sacrifice. Having been through the mill, I am never likely to overlook: that fact. At the same time It rests with th« citizens to decide whether they will ask the same men to continue making a sacrifice or elect others who are willing to give their service in turn. For the good of the city (lie door of selection must be kept ever wide open; The Mayor and councillors ' hold hifih positions of honour and authority. Still the truth should never be obscured that the city rests on the body of the citizens. The people come first. They have to find the cash for the city's works and advancement. They have to pay for all losses. Their rights are paramount, for without them the city could not fexisit. The authority of the council Is not inherent in the persons who constitute It but so delegated to them for the time being. Final authority rests with the citizens, and it is woll to have this ever in mind, as it should stimulate pride In their city for all citizens to realise that its progress is their concern.: Not criticism or even conflict is the danger we bavo to fear, but .apathy and indifference. I have supplied this matter not aa a reply to anyone, or a lecture to my fellowcitizens, many of whom are better versed in affairs than I am, hut simply 83 a few thoughts from my experience as a student of civic business; a restatement of facts which I, like others, sometimes forget."