A HOMILY AND THE ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20075, 16 April 1927, Page 14

A HOMILY AND THE ELECTIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,— Ingratitude i» a common fault In our natures, and I am inclined to think that it is shown m a marked degree to wards men who give their time and ever abilityNaturo has endowed t-hom with to servo the citizens without, any monetary reward. I do not suppose many voters have any idea of the amount of labour given by these men in the interests of tho people Wo are slow in our praise of these sacrifices, but quick to pounce on any shortcomings, real or imaginary. It a man should happen to have the courage of his opinions and express them, ho is liable to tread on tho corns of someone, and this someone immediately writes to the papers and gets a few of his friends to do likewise, and by this means endeavours—and, I am sorry to say, often successfully—to create an atmosphere against the outspoken man. Very oltcn this criticism is unfair, aud a glaring instance of this is against one of our present councillors who took a prominent part in making a change in the custodian of the municipal baths. Those who are in the inner circles of the history of this matter say that it was tho best day s work done in the interests of the baths for many a lang day, and the change has ocen a decidedly beneficial one for tho patrons of tho baths and for the city %i Then, the same councillor is now “set” by a few persons who blame him for being mstru mental in preventing dogs_ from having a free run on the Town Beit, I am not at present discussing the, wisdom of this bylaw. That some restriction was necessary is admitted by most people, but perhaps this restriction has been carried too fardue, I think, to the faulty construction of the by-law and it has gone further than any of the councillors intended. _ If it is too drastic it oen easily be medified, but my point now is: Why blame one man in particular for this law being passed? Ho happened to bo the mover of the resolution in the City Council, and it wag ununanimously supported by the other councillors Therefore they are all equally to blame, if there is any blame. Those who are creating a “howl” and “whelping .so much about this matter that pointedly indicated one councillor as the culprit. To my way of thinking this is unfair. Personally'l would not allow a small matter like this to influence me in casting my vote and I am optimistic enough to believe that this will bo tho case with the > Y reat majority of the voters. It is too small to weigh against weightier questions, but there may be a few who pay some attention to this adverse criticism. It is an easy matter to be facetious and funny at someone else’s expense, especially if you write under a nom de plume. All honour to the men and women tvho are prepared to sacrifice something for the benefit of their fellows, and even if they lose in the election—all cannot win —they are entitled, to credit being “triers.” Too many of us are inclined to be critical, and not give due credit to those who serve ua faithfully year by rear, and -if we had a little more of the milk of human kindness in our composition, and occasionally gave them some meed of praise for services rendered, it would make the lot of these men much easier. The wonder is that anyone is willing to offer services when ingratitude is often the dominant note in payment for these services. This applies not only to local bodies elections, but to other walks in life. Let the voters sort out those whom they consider the most capable persona to reprr.ent them, and not pay any attention to small trivial matters which count for little, not overlooking past services rendered. Very often the strongest critic is the person who is not prepared to do anything, and does nothing, for the wellbeing of others—l am, etc., R. Ferguson.