Biographical Sketches Will Assist Voters To Choose Representatives

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1944, Page 1 (Supplement)

Biographical Sketches Will Assist Voters To Choose Representatives

SELDOM HAVE ELECTORS OF NORTHLAND BEEN ACCORDED THE'WIDE CHOICE 0 PRESENTED to them in exercising their prerogative of deciding who SHALL REPRESENT THEM IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF LOCAL AFFAIRS DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS. NOMINATIONS IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES ARE AT LEAST DOUBI F REQUIREMENTS AND IN SOME CASES, NOTABLY FOR THE WHANGAREI BOROUGH COUNCIL NORTH AUCKLAND POWER BOARD AND THE BAY OF ISLANDS POWER BOARD THE NUMBER OF CANDIDATES PRESENTS VOTERS WITH A REAL PROBI EM OF SELECTION IT IS IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO HELP ELECTORS THAT THE “NORTHERN ADVOCATE” IS PRESENTING THIS SPECIAL BIOGRAPHICAL SUPPLEMENT. Many of the candidates for local body honours are well-known to the people in the district which they seek to serve, having taken part in past administration, or m other ways become identified bv the constituents. Others, however, are little known to many if not to the majority of electors, and in publishing these brief biographies—brief because of the pressure on space and shortage of paper due to wartime exigencies—it has been the endeavour to present a summary of the careers of the candidates so that the electors will be able to weigh for themselves, with some knowledge, the merits of the contestants. Purely from lack of knowledge there might be a tendency when voting to delete the names of unknown or lesser known men who, if given the chance, might prove to be capable guardians of the public trust. Similarly, many men have served long and ably but it may be that residents of long standing, as well as newcomers, have little cognisance of their work. . The biographical sketches which follow do not purport to deal fully with the careers of those offering themwives for public office. While most candidates have been contacted personally, it has not been possible to do this m every instance, but where comprehensive details are not available, we have endeavoured to supply some helpful information. This supplement is offered with no thought of inducement, without political favour, and with the sincere hope that it will give all electors some assistance in making their choice at the elections on May 27. Except in one or two instances, necessitated by consideration of available space only, when a candidate is contesting more than one local body, his biography appears under the rating authority (he., county council, borough council, or town board).