DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 20780, 30 April 1931, Page 14

DUNEDIN RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir,—l venture the opinion that nevef before in the history of the city has a body of men purporting to represent the citizens treated one of its members in such a shabby manner as the exmutive of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ A ssociation treated the writer, as the following letter will disclose:—“ C. H. Wing, Esq., Secretary City Ratepayirst Association, Dunedin. Dear Sir,- -I have been endeavouring, without success, to get in touch with you since 23rd inst., in view of the fact that you, as secretary of the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association, took my nomination paper and had it signed by two electors with whom I am not even acquainted, and lodged the same with the returning officer, together with my cheque, on the distinct understanding that my name was to appear on your association’s ticket. Further, you stated definitely that no member of the present council w r ho would not agree to the ward system of election would ha included in that ticket. The attitude that has been adopted by your association (of which I have been a financial member for many years) is so extraordinary that I respectfully ask for an explanation.—Yours faithfully, Arthur A. Paape." To add insult to the injustice that has already been perpetrated, the Dunedin Ratepayers’ Association has not had tho .decency to reply to my letter. Is it that it is so ashamed of its conduct that it regards discretion as tho better part?

At least two candidates on the ratepayers’ ticket have expressed their opinion in no uncertain way. One wrote to me; “Good luck at the election, in spite of the Ratepayers’ Association. I think they treated you very shabbily r .” And the other expressed himself in similar terms ,and felt like disassociating himself with the ticket. But I want nobody’s sympathy, and I can deal with this alleged Ratepayers’ Association’s executive in due course. The citizens of Dunedin are entitled to a full explanation of the unsavoury eleventh-hour conference whereat the Ratepayers’ Association dropped its principles and treated me in such a despicable manner. The time is npa for an .infusion of new blood in tW council, and I am looking forward t<» the polling day with every confidence, -I am. etc., Abthue A. Paape. April 29.