LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Franklin Times, Volume XXV, Issue 57, 20 May 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

CHOICE OF CANDIDATES. Sir,—ln the recent elections it is clear that the city elector has a better choice of suitable candidates than has his fellow in the small towns. In the town districts in the Manukau and Franklin electorates, the voter is confronted with the problem of who he will keep out. With seven to be elected and about 10 to choose from, after the first five are selected the task is difficult. The result is that there are men elected who nearly everyone wanted to keep out. There is a certain type of man, who when accidently elected, thinks he owns the town. He goes about with an ear on the ground listening for complaints and he gets plenty of them. He does not make any enquiries, but bellows forth his charges at the council table, mainly in the hope that the reporters are listening and taking notes. This class of man has no constructive ability, depending entirely on personal abuse. These small towns have men of ability, but it is difficult to get them to come forward. One of their objections is: ‘Supposing ‘so and so’ (meaning the class of man mentioned above) is elected, then T would not care to be associated with him.” There is a saying that every man has his price, and T have heard it said there is one man on a local body who will launch an attack on anyone for the extremely reasonable price of “one pint.”—l am, etc., “CITIZEN.”