CITIZENS’ LEAGUE AND OTAGO HARBOR BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 18926, 28 April 1925, Page 10

CITIZENS’ LEAGUE AND OTAGO HARBOR BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In a letter appearing over the names of two members of the Citizens’ League, Messrs J. B. Waters and T. M. Gillies, they assert that the Importers and Shippers’ Association is in no way connected with their league. Yet tho list which I now Hold contains the names of a large number of tho members of the league, and shows that it is practically made up of members of this association; ; the balance, with the exception of one, are payers of dues on goods. Mr H. C. Campbell is tho president of the former, a.nd has been the representative on the Harbor Board of the payers of dues on goods for a number of years. Therefore it is obvious that every member of this league is vitally interested in the Harbor Board, and it is not satisfied in having the right to return Its members to the Harbor Board by special franchise, but must make a frantic effort to influence tho public to return such men as it selects. The money that is required to run this socalled Citizens’ ’League is subscribed by master merchants, the Master Drapers’ Association, tho Master Plumbers’ Association, and the Master Millers’ Associar tion. Amd, further to this, its candidates subscribe £3 to its funds for the “ privilege ” of having their names suggested to the public by the league. It must have been very disgusting to the candidates when they were requested- to attend a meeting of the Citizens’ Leiuffie in tlm

New Zealand, Express Company j building one evening last week to find, as I am credibly informed, that the only member of the league present was Mr T. M. Gillies, vice-chairman. The secretary circularised every member of the league to attend this "important meeting, and apparently they nil dodged. I hive no objection at all to any section of the community forming themselves into a league or association, providing they do so on constitutional lines and publicly advertising their aims and ob-' jects. Then if they want to secure seats on any public body the people are fully informed as to what their candidates’ platform is likely to be. This small coterie of interested men now announce that their chief aim and object is to oppose official Labor. I know of no Labor candidate, good, bad, or indifferent, who has been approached by the league to allow his name to be included in its ticket.

It appears to mo that the league’s policy is not one which will go far to minimise the class hatred now existing between Labor and Capital. The nominations for the Harbor Board closed some days before the nominations for 'the City Council or the Hospital Board. Does it not appear strange that the Citizens’ League should announce its candidates for all the local bodies before all the nominations were known ? The probabilities are that many worthy men might have allowed themselves to bo nominated for the City Council and Hospital Board only for finding that the Citizens’ League had already its ent-and-dried selection made. This great breach of announcing its chosen candidates before ail the nominations were in proves to me that mv first assertion was correct —that the Citizens' League is more interested in the Harbor Board than in either of the other local public bodies. Strange that wo have heard nothing from any of its candidates! 1 have bad no opportunity of criticising, favorably or otherwise, the actions of these gentlemen on the Harbor Board for the past six years. We are always crying out for young men to take an interest in civic affairs. I ask you: What young man will offer himself'for public service when lie knows that not only must ho run the gauntlet of public election, but knows in addition that a. small committee of bis fellow-citi-zens is sitting in judgment on him behind closed doors, whom he will probably have to tight as well?—I am, etc., John M‘ Donald, Member Utago Harbor Beard. April 27.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,-—One, can hardly compliment Messrs Waters, Gillies, and Co. on their letters in yesterday's issue of your paper. Tire first is a labored attempt to justify the existence of the Citizens’ League, and tlio other some trifling remarks as to their reasons for not placing me on their “ticket,” as they are pclased to term it. I havo never at any lime asked the support c f the league, and if they decided previously to include me among their chosen ones I have no complaint to make; but I do object to this league attempting to induce the ©lectors to believe that the league is "cpresentative of the citizens of Dunedin, when Messrs Waters, Gillies, and Co. are now forced to admit that the “many different groups in the community ” which they affirmed the league, represented are restricted to “ trading and manufacturing.” As Mr M’Donald very pertinently asks: Why is it that Mr H. 0. Campbell, the president of the Importers’ Association, who has been the representative of the payors of dues on goods on the Otago Harbor Board for the last ten years, should, on seeking re-election to the board on the citizens’ ticket, have the support of the “Citizens’ League”? Obviously the answer is that the “ trading and manufacturing ” interests desire to have one more representative on the hoard. Is it to he expected that Mr Camnhell, who has been the mouthpiece of the Importers' Association on the hoard, will, if elected by the citizens on the league’s “ ticket,” cease_ to serve his employers? Can the Lthiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? If the electors are sufficiently interested to examine my record on the board they will find that I have not hesitated to support a measure, although it may have been contrary to my own interests. My conduct seems to havo been somewhat unpalatable to Messrs Waters, Gillies, and Co., who are apparently quite incapable of realising that when one is elected bv the citizens of Dunedin, although supported by the league, his duty is to'tho citizens, and not to the league. It may he, however, that I have been uncharitable lo these gentlemen, and that Mr Campbell has really been too clever for them. As for my colleague on tlio hoard, Mr .M'Donald, I havo observed closely his actions on the. hoard for the last four years, and am satisfied that they have, been actuated by the highest motives.-—I am, eta., Keith S. Eamsay. April 27.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —-It is totally against, my wish to enter into a, newspaper correspondence, bat as both Messrs M‘Donald and Ramsay have brought my name so much before the public in connection with their squabble with the Citizens’ League let mo briefly say that, having been twitted at the hoard’s meetings fur some considerable time by one of these gentlemen that I only represented a handful of electors, 1 decided to represent the larger franchise, and to be on the same fooling as the two former gentlemen, this being my sole reason for now wishing to represent the general electors.—l am, etc., 11. C. Campbell. April 28.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—-Wo read with interest Mr John McDonald’s letter in Friday’s issue, though why Mr M’Donald should go out of his way to disparage tailors is somewhat obscure. However, Mr M'Donald, as a member of that ancient and honorable craft, is doubtless an authority, and wo are quite willing to accept his opinion. V here wc really differ is on the question of the CJizens’ League. Mr M’Donald apparently does not hold that body in such high esteem as ho did two years ago when he was ”011 the ticket,” and had no nnairas of conscience as to tho constitution of tho league, no searchings ot heart us to the standing of the men on its committee. The reason for (bis change of view ", obvious. Mr M’Donald is apparently obsessed with tho idea that the Importers and Shippers’ Association has exercised some occult, influence over the Citizens League, and while laboring under this delusion he has made some suggestions in reference to tho late chairman of the Harbor Board {Mr H. C. Campbell) winch are quite unjustifiable and not m accordance with his usual good taste. Lveryone who knows Mr Campbell will indignantly re pudiate the suggestion that he would lend himself to anything unfair. Tho head and front of onr offending, however, appears to be that In the leagues ticket for the Harbor Board Mr M Donald’s name should have appeared instead of Mr Campbell’s. This is a matter of opinion, but we submit that the attitude adopted by Mr M’Donabl confirms the wisdom of the choice made by the league. In conclusion wc can only assure Mr M’Donald that we sign “ for and on behalf of ” a committee of twenty, but the strength of the Citizens’ League does not consist in the personnel of its committee or the comprehensiveness of its organisation, but in the unselfishness of its aim. That aim is to develop and ensure efficiency, in public office, not in tho interests of any individual, group, or party, bub m tho interests of tho community as » whole. — - \Vo are, etc., John B. Waters, Chairman, T. M. Gillies, Vice-chairman, E. H. (‘alder, Secretary, Dunedin Citizens’ League. April 27.

TO THE EDITOR. Siv—As a ratepayer and a looker-on rlio Vccs a good (leal of the game, the frenzied shouting and the tumult which comes from, the Ramsay-AUDonald group of two is highly amusing. It these two gentlemen have such a low opinion of the Citizens’ League, why do they make such wry faces and kick up such a noise because the league left them off its ticket'' It look's very ’much as though they feared that tho people will really prefer to bo guided by the league, which they (the Rainsay-AUDonald combination) look upon (on t.liis occasion, at any rate) as such poor stuff than to take for gospel all that these two gentlemen say about themselves. Mr M‘Donald publishes a. long list of his performances'; so to speak. Well, I know a number of persons who are (or who have been) on public bodies, but who would nob be there if a sufficient number of able men could bo induced to offer themselves. It is in the belief that the Citizens’ League is doing its very best to get citizens of the right stamp to become candidates, and thus gradually satisfy the, crying need for the raising of the standard of our local bodies, that I pa.y my Ss, and so qualify to subscribe myself A Ranker in the League. April 27.