THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FARCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 1348, 31 August 1882, Page 2

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT FARCE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Press.

Sir,—lt was thought by many when the Go vernment issued that celebrated circular to the local bodies just before the session, evidently with the intention of leading the public to believe that they (the Government) desired to give them more power in the management of local affairs, that the voice of the majority of the inhabitants of a district would have some little consideration given them. It is now evident that the circular was only a bait thrown out, but never intended to be acted up to. If the Government had any good intention, why were the wishes of a large majority of the resident property owners of Picton thrown aside for the opinion of one or two persons who have little to risk in Picton in comparison to the many who signed the petition to the Postmaster-General for the new post office, &c., to be placed in a central position ? Where, I would ask, as shown by their action with respect to the Picton Harbor Board Bill, and by the reply to the memorial re the new public offices, is the intention of the Government to give the public more local power? I think in such matters as the building of new public offices, if the Government wished to give us more local power, instead of being led by one or two persons,they should, when they saw so great an amount of objection shown by the inhabitants to their proposals, have consulted the local body. The Mayor and, I am informed, a majority of the members of the Borough Council signed the petition asking the Government to reconsider their determination to build the offices in the harbor instead.of in a central position.

I am rather surprised to hear of the action our member for the district has taken in the.matter of the new offices, and I do think he should have thrown his private feelings on one side and have assisted the majority of the inhabitants. I am afraid our member is rather too conservative and old fashioned for New Zealand politics, or he would not have put up his own opinion against a majority of the electors who placed him in the position he holds. I am informed there are other alterations under way, which perhaps he is not aware of, and I shall be a little more surprised if he quietly assents to them. The reclamation contract is nearly completed, and probably tenders will shortly be called for the new offices. It is time, therefore, that the inhabitants should stir themselves in the matter again, and see if something cannot be done yet to stop this useless piece of work and waste of money to the disadvantage of the large majority of the inhabitants. It is evidently time there was a change, and I am rather sorry the no-confidence motion was lost, for those in power carry things with a very high hand at present. Not only is a change of Government necessary now and again, but also officials, for they oL'en get 60 full of the temporary power placed iu their bands, they forget how properly to use it. I believe there is a deal of good in the changes as made by some bodies in moving their officers every three or four years, and it would be a good practice if pursued by the Government, for officials often forget, after a long residence in one place, that they are servants of the public. I am, &c., Ratepayer