THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1941 LOCAL BODY ELECTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1941 LOCAL BODY ELECTION

Never, probably, has there been an election, local or general, in Auckland marked by so little electioneering as the contest which will end at the polls oil Saturday. Individuals, committees and other organisations have relied largely on the printed word to press their claims ; public meetings, platform speeches and other conventional appeals have been so limited as to be almost negligible. The subdued atmosphere which has consequently prevailed should not lull citizens into apathy or indifference. It is as important as ever to reflect carefully and choose wisely. In some respects it is more important, for in these critical times the machinery of democracy must he run at the highest j pilch of efficiency everywhere, and Ino part of it can lie counted too ; small to require care, attention and ! skilled handling. The range of the elections is as wide as ever. • Councils, boards and other bodies i have to be chosen in cities, boroughs, counties, road and town I districts and in a number of composite electorates. This is a broad field to survey, but many of the points involved can be realised sufficiently by considering the position in Auckland City. The contest tor the Auckland Mayoralty and City Council is conI ditioned almost wholly by the existence of two tickets. One represents i the deliberate determination of its j sponsors to infuse local government with party political issues. The Labour movement seeks profit for its national cause in municipal government, and vice versa. Hence it offers a mayoral candidate and a full ticket for the council, all pledged to its platform, all bound in obedience to decisions which may be made by people or organisations owing no direct responsibility to the electors. Opposing Labour's nominees is a body of candidates to be described as non-Labour rather than anti-Labour. Those who compose it, those who support them, never sought the aroma of party politics or the ticket system. They learned in 1935 what came of failing to meet their opponents' methods. In 1938 they profited by the lesson, and now, perforce, are using the same tactics again. It is especially regrettable that this should have to be so in the Mayoral contest, where personal claims, not party affiliations, should be the test. On such grounds Mr. Allum stands head and shoulders above his Labour opponent. Besides having been deputy-Mayor for the past ; three years, and by virtue of that | office busily engaged in many public j and patriotic activities, Mr. Allum I has also a long record of zealous work in numerous phases of local government, especially as chairman of the Auckland Transport Board during its most difficult years. Thus ■ he offers, for the chief civic posij tion in Auckland, tried and proved J abilities to meet the difficulties and emergencies which may yet be in store for the community. Compared with his record, that of Mr. Sayegh is singularly uninspiring. If citizens will forget party, as it should be forgotten at such a time and in such a contest, they will have no hesitation in returning Mr. Allum as Mayor. In considering the choice for the council, it is necessary to return again to the ticket aspect. In 1935 by the vigorous use of this device, the Labour movement gained control of the council. As a result, almost every question was considered beforehand by a caucus, a decision was reached, and produced when the council met. There is no injustice in emphasising this. It was admitted by one of the party in plain words just before the last election. By reducing Labour to a minority in 1938, the electors put an end to caucus domination of the City Council. It is for the voters to say again that they prefer their affairs to be discussed and decided in open meeting by the whole council, not settled beforehand in private. They should have no hesitation in making their choice. One other point may be mentioned. In 1935, when Labour gained control, the city rates were 3s lid in the pound. In 1938, the year control was lost, they were 4s s|d. They were struck by the new council, but the level can be fairly taken as a legacy from the old one. Last year they came down to 4s Ifd —and there have been no complaints of reduced services. What they will be this year, the next, and the year after may turn largely on the choice fhe elector makes on Saturday. That factor can legitimately be in the citizen's mind as he resolves to vote and decides for whom he will vote.