THE LICENSING ELECTION MEMORANDUMMIAD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10409, 6 April 1897, Page 3

THE LICENSING ELECTION MEMORANDUMMIAD.

TO THE EDITOR. Slß,—After reading the paragraph " Perils of a Licensing Election," which appeared in your issue of Saturday last, I took some trouble to make enquiries as to the nature of the cross purposes at work in connection with the settlement of accounts incurred at the recent licensing election, and I nm satisfied the City Couucil did right in referring the matter of the paymout of accounts to the Finance Committee. Were the whole of the items in the accounts rendered published— which I hope they will be—the ratepayers would opeD their eyes in astonishment at the varied, liberal, ami kingly manner in which " spoils to the victors " have been distributed at their expense. The extracts of correspondence by the Returning Officer contained in the paragraph clearly show that lie took every means to ignore the Town Clerk, who specially should be made acqnaiuted with such matters as well as the Mayor, aa he is the executive officer of the Council. In one letter it is stated: " He (the Returning Officer) had refrained from calling on the Town Clerk as a matter of loyalty to the Mayor." Such an expression, I consider, ia a gross insult to the Mayor and Couucil, and one which I trust the Mayor will not overlook. It is a piece of presumption for the Returning Officer publicly to insinuate that there is any want of co-operation between the Mayor and Town Clerk. The Town Clerk is only carrying out the instructions of the Council, and should rather be commended for endeavouring to protect the interest of the ratepayers. I trust the Council will at once take steps to have if possible, future licensing elections (which are purely local business) carried out under their own control. The fast-increasing tendtney of the Government to keep within their grasp every position that affords opportunity for conferring appointments on their friends, such friends taking good care that only those N of the right colour , are recognised in the disposal of profitrble occupation, is assuming a very serious aspect indeed, and one which, if allowed tn continue, will undermine every manly feeling within its circle, and make political place-seekers of the whole community.—l am, etc., Municipal.