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Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, APRIL 29th., 1935. BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

lyiiE local body elections to be held, next month, are of more importance than usual, chiefly owing to the financial effects of the Labour Government’s legislation, i thus, it is gratifying to have competition more extended than on some previous occasions. Many will regret the introduction of Party polities into municipal [issues, with which they should (have little to do, but that intrusion has been forced by'Labour organisations, and the others have I little option but to accept the 1 challenge. The respective candidates having done their part by offering. their services, are , entitled to demand that the people should do theirs, by determining to vote on May 11, after careful consideration of the administra- 1 tive needs of the local bodies con-!

cerned, and of the qualifications of the candidates to carry out the duties with efficiency.

Greymouth residents are, in particular, faced with the necessity for electing a Mayor and Councillors capable of dealing with the needs of the present situation. The drift of the municipal finances is a cause for anxiety. If the townspeople, are indifferent as 16 the scale of rates, and agree that expenditure must be progress, then they need not bother themselves much about the elections. If, on the other hand, they think the present rates are quite high .enough, and that there is scope for administrative economies, with no encouragement for “luxuries” the borough cannot afford, they will resolve to elect as their representatives, those most likely to carry out their wishes. Municipal elections should not be occasions for keen partisanship. Those qualified to vote should give a fair d£al -to all the candidates, —and .to themselves.

Chief interest will be centred in the Mayoralty contest. Mr. Meldrum’s retirement and Mr. P. Blanehfield’s nomination were the surprises of yesterday, to many. Mr. Meldrum explained that his withdrawal was due to the fact that the contest appeared to be assuming a political character, and he had decided to allow younger men to have their innings. He has promised to review the work of the Borough Council, and it is to be hoped that he will add to the public services he has already rendered, by being as candid as possible about the finances and the outlook, generally. Mr. Blanchfield has displayed energy and courage during his short term as Councillor, but whether the time has come for him to fill the more important position is for the electors to decide. He has qualifications, and fortune may favour the brave.

According to our morning* contemporary, “Mr. A. 11. McKane, at present Deputy-Mayor, will contest the mayoralty in the interests of the Labour Party.” He should be thinking only of the interests of the borough. He has had much experience in public and private organisation administration and must hold the present record for membership of various bodies. Wore he elected to the Mayoralty, be would have to curtail in other directions. The remaining candidate, Mr. F. A. Kilehingham, is another who has given valuable service to the community. His rejection at the 1935 Mayoralty contest, savoured somewhat of electors’ ingratitude. He has real claims to support, and he may well be the majority’s choice on May 11.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GEST19380429.2.22

Bibliographic details

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 6

Word Count
543

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, APRIL 29th., 1935. BOROUGH ELECTIONS. Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE FRIDAY, APRIL 29th., 1935. BOROUGH ELECTIONS. Greymouth Evening Star, 29 April 1938, Page 6