The New Zealand Times SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1925. MAYORALTY IMPASSE ENDED

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 4

The New Zealand Times SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1925. MAYORALTY IMPASSE ENDED

After protracted negotiation, much of which should have been absolutely un- ! necessary, Mr C. J. B. Norwood has been selected as the citizens’ candidate for the Mayoralty. It will he generally admitted, we think, that the delay in reaching a settlement was not Mr Norwood’s fault. He found his opponent rather difficult to deal with. However, that point need not be pursued, now that' the deadlock has been terminated so satisfactorily. We congratulate the sole arbitrator, Mr A. R. Atkinson, on his decision, and Mr Norwood on his selection. Citizens, as a whole, will join in the felicitations; It will he a relief to them to know that the representative of the Socialists will be denied the assistance of a split vote. Mr Chapman possesses his share of commendable personal qualities, but, that said, we are constrained to add that he is not quite the kind of chief magistrate the capital city deserves. To begin with, his politics are not the politics of the electors, or conducive to the furtherance of their interests. His creed is sectional and narrow, and, so far as community welfare is concerned, unprogressive and provocative' of financial complications. In other words, Mr Chapman is a typical Socialist, almost entirely wanting in business training and experience. He may he a successful union secretary, hut running a union and controlling the civic administration of Wellington are two vastly different propositions. The last-named task calls for special qualifications which Mr Norwood, fortunately, is in a position to supply. He is first and foremost a community man. That is to say, he stands for no faction or factions. The city’s 'welfare will he his chief conoern. Mr Norwood is well equipped to assume the responsibilities attaching to the Mayoral office. Apart from his proved business capacity—and the shrewdest business capacity will be required by the man at the helm—the citizens’ nominee has the confidence of the bulk of thinking people. That realisation will be a spur to him if and when he is called on to attack the everaccumulating problems which are the natural outcome of civic expansion.