TIME FOR ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 55, 8 March 1929, Page 8

TIME FOR ACTION

Mishandling by the City Council of

the access schemes has provoked much

adverse comment. In some quarters the proposed heavy expenditure is criticised, but greater criticism is reserved for -the Council's methods. The evident attempt to avoid a poll of ratepayers, and to commit the city to heavy expenditure before such a poll is taken, has led many citizens to conclude that councillors are overlooking their duty as trustees. "The Post" agrees with this criticism. The actions of the Council in this matter have been illadvised. The motives may be admirable, but the methods arc calculated to defeat the very purposes aimed at. Responsibility for expenditure rests finally, as the law stands, on the shoulders of the ratepayers, and it cannot be transferred. The Council should recognise this. It may tear that the ratepayers will be foolish and reject a plan which would be beneficial to the city; but if such rejection takes place the ratepayers have only themselves to blame afterwards. If they are not consulted they will certainly blame the Council, and with justice. While expressing this view of the Council's recent methods, however, we do not forget (and tho electors should not forget) that much good work has been done. The Mayor, especially, has earned tho gratitude of citizens for his progressive policy and thoroughness. By comparison with previous Councils in recent times the present body stands' on a high level. When its works are reviewed as a whole the work deserving praise will greatly outweigh 'that calling for blame. Nevertheless, we believe that the Council could be strengthened if more of the men who havo fault to find would back up their criticism by actiou. A new viewpoint is needed at the Council table. Though the term for which councillors are elected is only two years, the majority of those now serving have been much longer in office. This has its advantages. It ensures continuity of policy, and gives the city the benefit of experience. But it lias aJ3o its disadvantages. It narrows the viewpoint of the Council. Councillors who are constantly in touch with each other come in time to consider their own views as public opinion. Moreover, they seennto acquire a proprietary interest in the city government. Its affairs are' their affairs, and the ratepayers must not display impertinent curiosity as to what they are doing. In the same way the old member of Parliament tends to form the opinion that he owns the show. Hi's constituency becomes "my" scat. This tendency in local and General government has its worst manifestation in a disposition to secrecy—proceedings in committee as in the access schemes and settlement by lobbying and negotiation. If this goes too far it leads in time to such public disapproval that a | sweeping change is made. We do not advise such a sweeping change; but we do think it advisable that the councillors should hear at the Council table j some of the criticism that is voiced outside. New members are necessary, but they must be new members of capacity who will not be immediately overwhelmed by the experience of the old or accept meekly the rebuke: "That's not the way we do it in the Council." There are many such men in the city who could accept nomination. The excuse commonly offered, that they are too busy, will not hold. It does not hold when they are asked to do something which they want to do. Most of them know this, and know also that the true reason for their refusal is tho secret fear that,' if they did join the Council, they might not find themselves able to work as well as they talk. It is much more comfortable to criticise without having to accept any responsibility. Such a reason/however, does little credit to the man who allows it to influence him. Tho man of capacity and experience should be too honest with himself to shelter behind it. The reasons why such men should come forward have been well set out by the Civic League. Now is the time for the 1 business man to consider how he can arrange his private affairs so as to comply, not to consider what is the most plausible excuse for non-compliance.