THE EVE OF LOCAL BODIES’ ELECTIONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 2

THE EVE OF LOCAL BODIES’ ELECTIONS

(To the Editor) Sir.—-It is a matter for serious thought and regret that so little interest lias so far been shown in the elections that will bo upon us within the next couple of days. Neither candidates, nor the public, appear to be at all concerned except in one or two instances, including the > Mayor, and even in this case it might be. open to the charge of lack of public interest and of public spirited citizens that we have no mayoral contest. Apart from this we can appreciate the wisdom of honouring the present occupant with an unopposed re-election, for it will lie generally admitted that it would bo difficult to find a citizen more keenly interested in civic affairs, or one who would, or could, devote so much time and doSe attention to the duties that are interwoven into the fabric of civic administration.

A correspondent signing himself “Push Nelson On” was recently lamenting the lack of public interest, and that of aspirants for seats on our various local bodies, and aptly likened this to the "mute silence of the member for Nelson, on the vital question of the Midland Railway.”

Not even the display of a wonderful scheme for a canal from the Boulder Bank tp the foot of Trafalgar street, and new wharves at the very door of the city, witli the vision of a wonderland of wealth creatable by the spoil dug from tiie route of this canal in the form of reclaimed land, lias been able to create the slightest ripple of public interest. The most regrettable feature of all is the apparent indifference so far of the aspirants for seats on the City Council, the Hospital, and Harbour Board. It seems a case of we are deigning to throw our candidature at you and you can just take us or leave us, we are not interested enough ourselves to give you electors the benefit of our views of what we think the local body to which wo are aspiring to gain, or regain .a seat, should do for the future welfare; and advancement of the City, the Hospital, or the Harbour. 'fins indifference is very, disquieting and undesirable in public affairs, and is not at all in the best interests of the city, nor any incentive to the creation of that most desirable condition, of the people taking a keen interest in local bodies election. It will he generally admitted that there are lots of problems yet to be solved in this city, in order that we may have new—and improvements in old —civic, hospital, and harbour services.

Tho city sorely needs a now system of refuse and rubbish removal, and disposal, by universal compulsory collection in up to date covered vehicles. The city sorely needs the abolition of the present eyesore and evil-smelling rubbish tip, and either a new tip out of sight, or a new method of rubbish disposal. . ■ The city needs a well considered plan of reclamation of our mudflat ana so adding of most valuable land to the city’s assets for extension purposes and development, for as the only candidate for a seat on the Harbour Board that has yet expressed his views, says: ‘‘Nothing can stop Nelson from becoming the northern terminus of the Midland and South Island 700 miles trunk railway within the next few years.” It would be to the great advantage of this city if more of its citizens had the vision of what our Harbour might be made, that is displayed by at least one of tho present aspirants for a seat on the board, however much it may be derided by those lacking such vision. However, seeing that we must have our local bodies, and that it devolves on the citizens to elect these, everyone possessing a vote ought to make full use of this great privilege by voting for those they deem to be the best of the candidates now before us for our choice. No one should fail in this the citizens’ first duty on Wednesday next. Whatever may be tho result, let it be the reflex of the wishes of tlnj whole body of electors. —I am, etc., A LOCAL ELECTOR. Nelson, 4th May.