CIVIC AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20199, 8 March 1929, Page 14

CIVIC AFFAIRS.

Sir, —The letter of Mr. P. J. Goldfinch in reference to the present condition of public opinion in city affairs is timely and his suggestion for the introduction of the ward system is more timely still. For the forthcoming elections we must, perforce, endure another period of government by representatives selected haphazard from a conglomeration of names mostly unfamiliar to electors. The ward system is the only system which will enable us to charge our representatives with particular instead of general responsibilities. What chance do voters now get of deciding whether candidates, have any profound sense of the city's needs or any capacity for evolving a programmo to meet them ? The recent inclusion within the city boundaries of suburban areas with special interests makes the call for more direct touch a matter of urgency. However, capable our present Mayor and councillors may be, their service, as well as the public spirit of the community, must suffer from the present apathy. Occasional demands for votes on loan proposals are no substitute for a programme of broad municipal policy. Let us have the ward system and then we can get from our candidates something more than pithless declarations in favour of " economy and progress." With the introduction of this system we may find the means of creating a healthy public interest in municipal affairs. H. Harrison'.