MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1923. THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

Northland Age, Volume 23, Issue 32, 26 November 1923, Page 4

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1923. THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP.

The Chairman of a County Council is the man who sets the standard for the Council. If he be a strong man, the Council’s affairs will be administered in a way to gain the respect of the community, and matters will run smoothly all round. If, on the other hand, he be a weak man, affairs are likely to get into a chaotic condition, and the Council will earn the contempt, insieadof the respect, of the ratepayers. At the County Council election prior to the last a savage attack was launched against the then Chairman, Mr. T. S. Houston, he being practically accused of maladministration. The County was branded as bankrupt, and great harm was done to-it thereby.

The question which now arises is, whether the Council is any better off under the present chairmanship than under that with which so much fault was found previously. Since the AGE came under the control of the present Directorate its representative has attended every meeting of the Council, and should be qualified to speak, at least, of the conduct of the meetings. For two years past the AGE has strongly censured the ridicul ous waste ot time which takes place at Council meetings, attributing this largely to the Chairman. The Council has excellent Standing Orders, which if obser-

ved, would greatly facilitate the conduct of business.

Council meetings quite frequently run on into the small hours of the morning, due almost entirely to the interminable gabble which goes on. There is absolute disregard of Standing Orders, Councillors talking as often as they choose, with very little regard to the subject under discussion.

Mangonui County has a large area, but a small revenue. That Counties with big revenues, and in many cases with problems just as pressing as any we have to deal with, should be able to get through their business in daylight, is a tremendous reflection on the methods of the Mangonui County Council. But the shortcomings apply not only to the conduct of meetings. The general administration of the County is anything but satisfactory. The expenditure of loan moneys is in a very unsatisfactory position. Money has been spent lavishly, and we have practically nothing to show for this expenditure. The expenditure of rates is in just as unsatisfactory a position, some ridings having received far more than their fair share. Council machinery is lying all over the County, untended and uncared for, notwithstanding that attention has been drawn to this matter time and again.

We have no hesitation in saying that the present County Chairman must accept the larger share of responsibility for the unsatisfactory position of affairs in connection with the County administration. In connection with the waste of time at Council meetings he is the principal offender, and we do not wonder that he has not the face to call for the observance of Standing Orders.

Mr. Long has taken our criticisms as personal, apparently not being big-minded enough to recognise that a journalist worth his salt owes a duty to the public he serves which must over-ride even the claims of friendship. When, on top of his personal offence at our attitude, he apparently uses his public position to victimise us he shows a touchiness unworthy of a public man, who should recognise that his position renders him a fair mark for reasonable criticism. We have never denied Mr. Long tne possession of many estimable qualities, but as Chairman of an important public body be is not an outstanding success. His volubility is irrepressible, and he should, for the sake of the Council, the ratepayers, and the general welfare of the County, endeavour to curb it. Having done this, he should insist on a strict observance of the Standing Orders, thus enabling formal business to be expedited, and allowing of proper attention to important matters. Since the above, which intended for last week’s issue; was written we have had another pitiful exhibition of Mr. Long’s failure to recognise the dignity of the position he occupies. Not only does this apply to his attack on the AGE representative, but to several other breaches of the canons of good taste. We say now, unhesitatingly, that it would be a good thing for the Mangonui County in general, and the Mangonui County Council in particular, if Mr. Long decided that the claims of his private business rendered it expedient, or necessary, for him to resign his position as County Chairman. His first lieutenant, although possessed of a fair amount of ability, would be unthinkable as a successor. But amongst the new Councillors is one gentleman who, we believe, would be an acceptable choice to both Council and ratepayers. Although the gentleman in question is opposed to us politically we are not, on that account, so blinded by prejudice, as to fail to recognise his fitness for the position. Whilst he makes no profession to oratorical facility, we must regard this as an advantage, when we see how ridiculous the practice of pseudooratory has made the Council, fy is, at any rate, solid and

practical, and would command respect. In the meantime we have said enough of the County Chairman, unless the gentleman’s future vagaries compel us to pay him a little more attention. There are numbers of problems in connection with County administration calling for redress, and these we shall, from time to time, be compelled to deal with.