THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1929. THE LOCAL ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 10

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1929. THE LOCAL ELECTIONS.

It is to be hoped .that the electors will not, by the extent of the choice that is offered to them, be deterred from fully exercising their, privilege at the election of members of the City Council to-morrow by voting for; the twelve candidates who are regarded by them as possessing the highest qualifications. The City Council is frequently and not inaptly described as constituting the board of directors which, on behalf of the citizens, controls the great undertakings that have been established by the municipality. • It, should be only. necessary for this to be realised by the electors in order they may completely appreciate the importance of the election of men in whose business capacity, judgment, and integrity they may repose confidence. Experience in the administration of municipal affairs and in the management of the trading concerns of the Corporation must also be seen by the electors to be desirable in those to whom their votes are given. The retiring Council has been subjected during the past few weeks to a good deal of criticism, some of which may be admitted to be justified, particularly in relation'to the high cost of some of its undertakings and the apparent lack of co-ordination between its departments, but the opinion of the electors, -who take a dispassionate view of its record, must be that on the whole it has served the community faithfully and satisfactorily. For this reason it would seem advisable that at least the majority of -the retiring councillors, nine of whom seek re-election, should receive the support of the electors. Three excouncillors, each possessing valid claims to recognition, are offering their services to the electors, and among the other candidates are several citizens whose personal merits and business training suggest that they would be useful and even efficient members of the. Council. A perception on the part of the electors of the considerations which should influence them, as the proprietors of important business enterprises, in the disposal of their votes should result in the election of a Council that may be relied upon to discharge its manifold duties in a way that will be in the general interest of the city. Eleven candidates have been nominated for the five seats on the Harbour Board that have to be occupied b\ representatives of the city of Dunedin and borough of St. Kilda. There is an insufficient realisation in the public mind of the importance of the operations of the Harbour Board, and this seems to be reflected in an indisposition on the part of the citizens, whose interests are not more or less bound up with the shipping business, to offer themselves for election to this board The Labour Representation Committee has put a'“ticket” of candidates in

nomination for this local body as well as for 'the other local bodies. , Included in this “ticket” is one of the present members of the board, whose personal qualities will secure' for him support .from various sections of the community. The idea, however, that candidates who have shown no capacity for undertaking the serious responsibilities that are associated with membership of this board should be returned simply because their names have been placed on a purely sectional “ ticket ” is one that should be resented by the commonsehse of the community. On the other hand, it is not to be ignored that certain of the other candidates are connected more or less closely with interests that enjoy special representation on the board, and this is a circumstance that will inevitably cause some embarrassment to a good many electors. The whole of the members of the Hospital Board, representing the city of Dunedin and the borough of West Harbour, are seeking re-election. The Labour Representation Committee has in this case put forward only five candidates, though there are seven seats to be filled,, but there are two other candidates in the persons of exmembers of the board. It’ seems hardly necessary to offer to the electors, in relation to this contest, 'any suggestion other thkn that it is as undesirable to return candidates to the Hospital Board because they represent any particular political party as it would be to return them on this account to the City Council or the Harbour Board. If there .are candidates nominated by the Labour Party who would, from their known abilities and special knowledge, be likely to render useful service as members of the Hospital Board they may be entitled to support on that ground. Any claim upon the votes of the electors that is based on any other ground should be rejected. The sole question which the electors should put to themselves before they determine upon the disposal of their votes is, Which seven candidates are best fitted to control the operations of the Board in the best interests of the community as a whole and of the ratepayers who contribute so largely to the funds that ate administered by the Board? . .