THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 137, 12 May 1941, Page 6

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

By an astute move the Labour I Party delayed Ihe advent of a Mayoral candidate until the nominations were due to close. Expectations that the contest would be confined to the two candidates who were early in the field were thereby frustrated, and it is clear from correspondence iu the “Manawatu Standard” that it was the Labour Party’s intention to be represented in the contest. Thus once again party politics arc obtruded into a field where they should be conspicuously absent, and the majority of local citizens are frankly concerned lest in the splitting of the vote against Labour the party’s candidate is returned. That fear, and a desire that vote splitting should be avoided, has been the theme of a number of letters in our correspondence columns. The two candidates opposed to Labour cannot be insensible of this concern that they are paving the way to the mayoral office of a political, party’s candidate, moreover one who is untried in municipal administration, when the office demands a skilled administrator. What happened in Wellington is worth repeating. When it appeared that two candidates would be seeking the support of electors opposed to Labour, a committee of citizens was entrusted with the choice, each agreeing to abide by its decision. Preference went to Mr T. G. A. Hislop, the Mayor of Wellington, who has rendered remarkably good service to the capital city.