Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 27th., 1935. LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1935, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, APRIL 27th., 1935. LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS.

A pleasing feature of the nomina- • lions for election at the forthcoming elections to local bodies, throughout the Dominion, is the extent of competition for the honour of serving the nation. In , some instances. the rivalry may be politically inspired, ; district special questions being secondary to national problems, but that misplaced zeal is mainly confined to the larger centres. Local body elections should be kept free, as far as possible, from partisanship. there rarely being need for anything but differences of opinion, or encouragement of honest desire to perform this typo of public service. Many of the candidates must bo defeated, but there is no disgrace in those set-backs. I The men and women who volunteer their services are entitled to thanks and commendation, as they form a happy contrast to those qualified, who have no real reason for holding aloof from the community duty they might render. The Greymouth pollings will arouse more interest than usual There are nearly two weeks wherein the electors will have an opporlunity to reflect on the respective claims of the candidate-. An effort should be made to he air to all. Gratitude to those wh » have already proved their wo *th should • not hide the merits of newcomers. ’ The introduction of some new < dood is usually beneficial. Whore the’Mayoralty is concerned, two at |t

least, of the candidates, are of excellent type. For the time being, few will take the-> candidature of Mr. F. L. Turley for the mayoralty. very seriously. Mr. F. A. Kitchingham has served faithfully for-years as Councillor and Deputy flavor, and has undoubted qualifications for the higher honour he now seeks. Mr. AV. Meldrum is anoiher who has long public service lo his credit. His war, magisterial and sporting records, as well as his local body experience previous to coming to the West Coast, will attract support, and, like Mr. Kitchingham, he could be depended upon to -uphold Greymoutli s prestige at the many functions, here and away, a mayor is called upon to attend. Either should prove a worthy successor to Mr. J. W. Greeuslade, who maintained high standards throughout his terms of office, and who is fully entitled to the encomiums being paid to him since he announced his retirement from public life, a retirement all will hope will be temporary.

There is ample material from which to select a capable borough council from the twelve candidates, and a similar estimate is justified of those willing to serve the borough on the Grey Hospital Board. This latter election will be awaited with special interest owing to recent changes and controversies. Hospital welfare must be made the main consideration on polling day. Less difficulty, perhaps, will be found in the selection of borough representatives on the Grey Power Board. The other issue on May 8 will be the choice of day for the weekly half-holiday. This question has many aspects, few of Tvhich will be permitted to be overlooked during the next few days. Country opinion, in this ease, is important, and every effort should be made to ascertain, authoritatively. rural wishes on this subject. Greymouth’s prosperity depends largely on country dwellers’ support, and nothing should be done to endanger this commmercial patronage. It would be wise perhaps, for the Mayor to call a public meeting sometime before jiolling day at which community thanks could be expressed to him. and those others who are not again offering- their services, and, at which, an opportunity would be given to all the present aspirants to public support, to give very brief outlines of their policies if elected. Some of the candidates may not be as well-known as others, to t.he voters, and a public meeting would supply appropriate introduction.