THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 141, 16 May 1941, Page 4

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

To-moiuiow the electors of Palmerstou .North will be called upon to choose their Mayor and City Council for tiie ensuing term of three years. What at first appeared to be a simple task in the Mayoralty has been complicated by the fact of three candidates going to the ballot. "With the division of the vote opposed to it the Labour Party has astutely seized the opportunity to try to win the success denied to its candidate three years ago. The majority of sober minded people have always regarded with disfavour the emergence into municipal politics of a political"party's nominees, and to-morrow without doubt they will again register their disapproval of this action. Both candidates opposed to Labour are experienced in civic administration and in that respect have a decided advantage over their Labour opponent, whose inexperience in this regard must be viewed by electors as a severe handicap. The real task that therefore lies before them is to choose from the other two candidates whom they desire to be their Mayor. The candidates standing for the City Council include a number who have rendered efficient service, some for a lengthy period. Four seeking representation are carrying the banner of Labour —the others are independent —and with the pronounced aversion to political party candidates previously shown in Palmerston North it would occasion no surprise were the choice of the council to come almost wholly outside of party nominees. There are seats to be filled on other local authorities and it is a matter for congratulation that proved representatives of the city are again offering their services.