The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1909. BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 97, 22 April 1909, Page 4

The Marlborough Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1909. BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

The Borough ratepayers have a long list of candidates from which to select a Council for the next two years. There are in all 17 seeking the support of the burgesses, the number 'including six of the late Council, an ex-Mayor, and a former Councillor. None of these has, »s yet, taken the public into his confidence as to his opinions upon public matters. Evidently it is expected by late Councillors that they will be judged upon past performances, and new. aspirants for the position apparently desire that they shall be taken on trust. Most of the candidates have made no public intimation that they arc- seeking election. They have simply contented themselves with obtaining their nomina-

tioiis, and their efforts have begun, and will probably end there. Tim "tired feeling"' is strongly in evidence, or is it an indication that the position is thought so little of that it is not worth going to any expense over? It is scarcely treating the ratepayers with proper respect to expect election without giving any indication as to the line of policy to be pursued upon any question, or expressing the opinions upon municipal politics which are held by the candidates. But it is possible that the candidates have no municipal creed. They may prefer to enter the Council unhampered by pledges, and unrestricted by a sense of promises given to secure votes; so that with minds unfettered they may be better able to deal with the various municipal problems as they arise. If J:his be the reason for their silence, their action is at least comprehensible, if not commendable, 'for it is due to the public to know what they are voting for. However, if the ratepayers are expected to cast their votes in the dark, some faint glimmering of light will doubtless be derived from a contemplation of the merits or demerits of the various candidates as they are known in public life. This is the only guicb available under the circumstances, but it is fortunately of such a character as to afford some index to the capabilities of the aspirant? for office. There are amongst the candidates men who are known as progressive, energetic and altogether capable business men; men with a large stake in the town, at the head of successful businesses, who may be relied upon to bring to bear upon the affairs of the ratepayers the same business acumen which has resulted in success in their own affairs, 'liiese are the men who are needed at tho Council table if the Borough is to progress. Then there are others y/ho are by no means progressive in spirit, who are fearful and timorous concerning every forward move, and who are likely to be a drag upon advancement and a hindrance to -".he development of the town. There is a broad enough line of demarcation here, and electors who scan the list critically will easily distinguish the one class from the other. Without individualising we would advise the electors to select as Councillors for the next term only such men as may be relied upon to further the interests of the Borough in every material point, and to strike out the names of all who may be expected to clog the wheels of progress.