The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is in-Corporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1938. MATTER OF DUTY.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1938, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is inCorporated the West Coast Times.) TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1938. MATTER OF DUTY.

In the present age it appears more necessary than ever lor democracies to regard their duty as electors with the full importance of its value. To-morrow will be a general polling clay, and the obligation is on the enrolled to exercise the power they possess. The community iii this free land is governed by those of its own choice, but unless the electors take an intelligent interest in -the issues it is not possible to discharge the duty of voting with a full regard for its importance. In considering the local elections, the townspeople have the fullest choice. Every position in the gift of the electors is being competed for. That in itself indicates a livelier interest than -usual in civic affairs. The town has occasion to ho grateful to those who place their services at disposal, and equally the electors should roll up in force and make the best choice possible. In domestic elections the personal element protrudes, for the candidates are known intimately, and it is possible to choose from the number those who appear to offer the best service for the task required. In local government there is a good deal of responsibility on representatives giving their time to the public service. They require initiative and energy, which must he applied, persistently and consistently. Their task on election is to review the position in which they find matters, and to cooperate with fellow members in improving it. This should not be undertaken as a haphazard task, but sometiling in which details have to be mastered, and a policy worked out. A representative position is a responsible position, and the representatives should be chosen with that in mind. The duty is to select the best, men, and that means striking an average where a choice will give the general results hoped for. Electors, too, should bear in mind that where a representative number are to be elected, the full, membership should he voted for, and not the duty half done by “plumping,” or voting for a lesser number than required. Above all to facilitate the work of j voting, electors should vote as early as their personal convenience will permit. It is a duty to be discharged tomorrow, and should bo attended to ns one of the first appointments of the ■dav consistent with one’s occupation. i

Thereby the recording will proceed the more orderly. The local body elections here are not governed by any special policy matters, hut the issues such as they are. cover a term of three years, during which there is room for much good work of community value. The electors will expect the reorganised bodies to pay particular attention to those amenities which make for the advancement of the town and its environs. A congestion of work of late has caused many matters of concern to be put aside. The new body will have the opportunity of starting afresh in various directions, and it is for the electors to make that happy choice which will render many things possible, and ring in a period of progress for the community that will ultimately fully justify the choice.