An Undignified Attitude.

Northland Age, 21 November 1905, Page 3

An Undignified Attitude.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir I —l desire to draw your attention to the undignified attitude of the County Chairman and others around him. We all know the Council has been subjected to a great deal of criticism—much of it pertinent and just; perhaps its mistakes have arisen rather from the way information has to be gleaned than from the malice of clitics; perhaps if fuller light had been cast on Council matters the criticism would have been less faulty and more severe. However, if the Council were right we cannot imagine the Chairman so asinine that he would not make use of your columns to silence his adversaries. In the circumstances he has two other dignified alternatives—one is to confess his wrong-doing and undertake to mend his ways, or he could quietly retire into private life and so completely escape the heckling that incompetency or wrong-doing sooner or later brings on public men. But no, instead of that, he gives us an exhibition of temper and littlemindedness that is unique: instead of argument he employs abusive language to his critics and the “ County Times.” He even descends to tale-bearing as a weapon against ratepayers who differ from him; yet we all know how even children have a contempt for the “ tell-tale.” Yes, sir, it appears that the Council have been accommodating ratepayers over the moneys due, and now because some of them are men enough to use their vote and influence for right they are “told on” childishly. I am afraid that the consensus of opinion will

declare that the maligned ratepayers are StJtihg honourably and the Council are guilty tor, what they did. Now we have new blqbd in the Council ratepayers are justified in anticipating haying a Chairman who can be dignified; being too gentlemanly to abuse others and willing to break a lanco with his opponents to defend his fellow councillors in what the Council may do. Regarding your valuable paper, the “ County Times,” it is like that guardian of the law, the policeman, whom all straightgoers regard as a friend and protector; only evil-doers need fear or hate either the policeman or the “ County Timeß.” I am, etc., A RATEPAYER.