THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21940, 29 April 1933, Page 15

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —The suggestion of “Young Voter” in this morning’s issue of the Uaily Times in connection with the municipal elections may haoe something to commend it, but there is another Side to the question. I quite agree that with a list of 26 candidates there is some little difficulty in picking the 12 men most suitable to conduct the affairs of the City Corporation, which is really nothing more or lesp than a large business, with all the ratepayers as shareholders, but as council elections occur only onto in every two years it is certainly worth while , for every elector to get some reliable information about the candidates. I can assure “Young Voter ” that neither' public meetings nor the press reports of' such meetings are places to get reliable information. I ask “Young Voter” and anyone else to have a look over some of the political drivel and stupid promises that are being made by some of the candidates who are holding meetings. Are all these statements true as they relate to the great body of citizens, and are the promises made such as can possibly be carried out. There is nothing easier than to hold public meetings, promising anything that the meeting might favour, but that sort of thing brings candidates for the City Council into the field of politics, and I feel that the more politics, and all the rotten things the word “politics” stands for, can be kept out of the City Corporation affairs the better it will be for Dun-, edin. . As a candidate on the Citizens’ ticket for the council, I have no hesitation in making known my own position. During the next few days my appeal will be received through the post by every householder. I look upon the administration ,of the city affairs-as an important business, each problem as it arises being dealt with as in any other business. _ I sincerely trust that “Young Voter” will realise that the “gas-bag” who is prepared to stand before audiences and talk his way into a public position does not always become the most useful representative of the people. Intelligence and talk sometimes, but not veiy often, run in double harness. —I am, etc., W. H. Shepherd. Dunedin, April 26.