The Northland Age OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE FARMERS' ONION. Published Twice a Week. WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY Price Twopence. FRIDAY, OCT. 28. RATEPAYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 42, 28 October 1927, Page 4

The Northland Age OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE FARMERS' ONION. Published Twice a Week. WEDNESDAY and FRIDAY Price Twopence. FRIDAY, OCT. 28. RATEPAYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES

For some time past there has been a growing feeling among ratepayers that the present system of electing County Council members should be changed. The existing system is anomalous inasmuch that the whole of n.e electors have no say in the election of the entire council and yet the councillors have a great deal to say respecting the carrying out •fvaiious works throughout the county. This to say the least is a wrong principle. If it is a fair thing for the elected councillors to have a voice in various matters in ridings outside their own, then surely the ratepayers in those ridings should have some say in the election of such councillors. An undivided constituency gives far better representation than does the riding system. This is no reflection upon riding members individually, but it is a reflection upon an obsolete system. A truly democratic method is that which eliminates the “pocket borough” and all that it represents. A council truly representative of the whole of ' the electors in the county would make far better and sounder government than a council elected under the riding system. Good government is what is required in every county, especially when the burden of the ratepayers has assure :d propoitions that makes it difticult to bear. The best evidence of the success of the undivided constituency is the present Mangonui Hospital Boaid. It represents all the people in the county, and each and every member endeavours to the utmost to work for the well-being of all. Another feature is the harmony which prevails at the hoard meetings and the expedition with which the work of the board is carried out. It would be to the advantage of the county to have the council elected under this system.