The Wakatip Mail Thursday, January 10, 1946. JUSTIFIED CRITICISM

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4724, 10 January 1946, Page 2

The Wakatip Mail Thursday, January 10, 1946. JUSTIFIED CRITICISM

At the final meeting of the Queenstown Borough Council last year the Mayor charged the Mail with permitting the insertion in its columns of correspondence criticising the actions of the, Council. His remarks as reported in our columns last issue cannot go unchallenged. We are prepared to concede that the Council is endeavouring to carry out a policy that is acceptable, to the ratepayers. It is this policy not the actions of the respective councillors that is being attacked.* If there is one, right more than another that the people of a democracy like New Zealand should protect it is the right to criticise freely the actions of public authorities and of public men. We therefore maintain that much of the criticism contained in our columns is justified, and at all times we reserve the right to uphold such criticism if it is of a constructive nature. It must be understood that the editor does not identify himself with the opinions expressed. Any newspaper which brings a fair and impartial mind to bear on the problems of the day and has a fearless policy, is respected more than a paper which is regarded as taking up a biassed attitude. The question of allowing army huts in a picturesque town like Queenstown has been pretty freely ventilated and very severe criticism has even come out of the mouths of councillors themselves when they came face to face with the class of building that is being re-erected in the town. It will now be admitted by the council that in any circumstances these huts, or the majority of them, should not have been permitted. One councillor told the last meeting that they would not be allowed in some of the larger towns. Enough of this. Other matters which have brought criticism on the council is its failure to ensure clearer radio reception and the Postal Department, too, is not blameless in the matter; also by allowing travelling shows to place their equipment on the wellkept swards abutting on the water front, thus creating an eyesore as well as denying the public the pleasure of open spaces in the town. The council is not blameless for not carrying out a more progressive policy in respect of street maintenance. An attempt was made a few months ago to improve the working conditions in the town and a certain course was decided on, but this has apparently been dropped. The, council is therefoi’e still carryingon under a system that obtained over 50 years ago—it is not even so effective. The. question of the disposal of the carnival funds is one that must receive serious consideration in the near future. The carnival funds which have accumulated in late years, added to to those invested in war loans, should provide a respectable nucleus towards some much desired amenity in the town. This is a matter for a public meeting. The tremendous demand this season for accommodation on the camping ground has made it imperative that more facilities must be provided for campers. The present camping ground is now proving inadequate and in spite of the protests from sporting bodies, the old recrea'tion ground, which adjoins it, must necessarily be absorbed in the, future. The preponderance of campers also involves the necessity of a full-time caretaker. Queenstown stands very high on the, list of New Zealand’s scenic attractions but it sadly lacks some man-made amenities to maintain the interest of visitors.