THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1907. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13465, 18 April 1907, Page 4

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1907. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The local government elections which take place next week cannot he said to be yet exciting any unusual amount of interest, which ' makes it all the more desirable that citizens should remember their civic obligations and record their votes wherever a poll is to bo taken. For it is quite unpardonable for potential voters to neglect the duty of voting and afterwards to complain . of the result of an election and to explain that had they expected it ' they would have taken the trouble to exercise their franchise. Wherever men have been refused the franchise they have shaken the State in their determined struggles to obtain it and even women, of repute and standing, in England, have shown them- • selves ready to endure imprisonment rather than submit tamely to diss franchisement. Yet in this colony, a.nd particularly in the municipal elections, a very great proportion of our electors, both men and women, [ deliberately abandon ilie franchise, which is the basis of sound government in democratic times. Those who do this are by no means of the i irresponsible and reckless minority, : but generally of the responsible and thoughtful majority, whose votes if recorded would strengthen good government and assist in the election of desirable local administrators. . This notable fact makes their sin of omission all the more grievous, for 3 it not only threatens to react upon their own welfare but to have the most fatal consequences to society at , large. For Democracy can only suc- ■ coed if it is loyally supported by all who appreciate the value of citizenship, and no man or woman is a loyal supporter of the democratic State who does not contribute, by i voting, to tho election of the best available representatives and to the moulding of the best possible government. To force a useless contest upon a constituency which has every reason to be well satisfied with things as they are is not a commend- ; able action, and the people of Grey Lynn can be sincerely congratulated upon the unopposed re-election of their capable Mayor, Mr. John Farre 11 ; but when a contest arises, whether it be a useful and necessary . or it useless and unnecessary contest, it is the plain and simple duty of s every elector to exercise the demoj ratio right of choice between can- . didates. Political power gradually drifts into incapable and unclean hands only because many honest men and good women mistakenly neglect this duty ; and we would urge them to consider the matter very seriously and to vote in the local government elections of next week even at the cost of some slight personal or business inconvenience, and even though they may have to sacrifice some vague prejudices against the crudity of our democratic methods. Every elector who determines, as all should determine, to take part in the elections of next week, ought speedily be able to make up his mind as to how he shall vote. For there should be no party in local politics, , the aims and purposes of local governments being essentially administrative. On our city and borough councils, as on our road boards and county councils, we want our bestadministrators, irrespective of what are usually termed political opinions. It does not affect by one iota the value of a. mayor or councillor whether he is a supporter of the present colonial Government or •in opponent, whether he is a freeholder or a leaseholder. What affects his value is his possession or lack of the administrative qualities, of which honesty, capacity, and experience are essential units, and sympathetic devotion to the progress of his constituency not less so. Auckland has been particularly for- • tunate in the devotion she has inspired among her citizens, who have 1 generally giren an unswerving support to schemes for her advancement and have so frequently poured out individual wealth for her betterment and adornment. Tho spirit which has arisen in Auckland is a civic spirit which ought to be fount! wherever municipal organisation 1 exists, for it not only strengthens [ the power of the municipal governj ment for ggod, but must ultimately . leaven the whole relation of the citi- ' zen to his local authority. It should teach us to respect and honour those , who generously give -to the local . commonwealth either their wealth or their time, serving it through laborious years with a devotion which could not be bought with . money and which seeks no reward l but public appreciation. It- is often said that the public cannot appreciate, and that the man who serves the people in hope of appreciation is doomed to disappointment. Xo say- , ing is more delusive. All healthy English-speaking communities have • given honour and appreciation to those who Jed them along popular lines, as we have seen here in Auckland over and over again. It is a sign of degeneration when this ceases to be, when public service no longer meets with public recognition. And • if any man seeks re-election, as . mayor or councillor, who has don* good work for his constituents during his term of office, he has a rightful claim upon the franchises of his fellow citizens which no thoughtful man or woman can deny or refuse. That the electors ought to seize upon the earliest opportunity to remove from public place any man who has shown himself incapable or unfit involves the opposite civic obligation , to keep in public place every man who fills it well as long as he is willing to make to his fellow citizens the. gift of his services. Municipal elections ought to be triumphal progrosses for every mayor or councillor who has proved himself worthy of

confidence, and should inflict sharp rebukes on every captious candidate and on every unqualified aspirant who seeks to attain office by dragging " politics " into the municipal elections.