THE CITY MAYORALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23463, 30 March 1938, Page 5

THE CITY MAYORALTY

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—-I think that, in view of the approaching local elections, some attention should be paid to the reasons actuating Mr Cox in seeking office for the third time. In view of his muchrepeated statements when he opposed Mr Black some vears ago. that the office of Mayor was clearly a “rolling office,” it would be. at least, interesting to know the reasons for his present change of attitude. It has always appealed to me that the office of Mayor served two. purposes: (1) To reward a leading citizen of the city for work and time expended on behalf of that city; and (2) to have a man of commercial and administrative experience to lead the deliberations of those who administer the affairs of the city. Can it be denied by even the most fervent Labour supporters that Mr Cox fulfilled neither of these very necessary requirements? May I add that I am not the last to admit that Mr Cox has carried out the office of Mayor with dignity to himself and some credit to this city, but I think the time has come when political factions and party anomalies should be ousted from local politics,

and that we should return to the old ideal of having as Mayor one who has not only served his city with ability and integrity, but also brings to the office experience gathered from years of successful commercial enterprise.— I am, etc., Pro Bono Publico. Dunedin, March 29.