THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23501, 16 May 1938, Page 12

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —There is one factor which has apparently been overlooked by most commentators on the election results, and that is that the size of the Labour vote in Dunedin has not been reduced, but, on the contrary, has been substantially increased. A comparative analysis of the figures for the City Council election last Wednesday, and that of 1935, shows that the total Labour vote on the latter occasion was 150,310, whereas last week it amounted to 165,720—an increase of 15,410. The average vote polled by Labour candidates in the City Council election of 1935 was 12,526. whereas this yeai it was 13,810—an increase in the average of each Labour candidate of 1284. The increased support given to the National Party—or, should I say, Citizens’ Association? candidates can only be accounted for by the fact that* apart from the selfish, ignorant, and snobbish section of the community, which has, unfortunately, always to be contended with, there must have been a considerable number of people who were so politically unbalanced as to be “gulled” by the misleading piopaganda of the Citizens’ Association. I have been closely connected with local and national election campaigns for a number of years, and I want to say, not in the heat of a campaign, but calmly, deliberately, and dispassionately —that I have never known an election contest which was characterised by such lying, vicious, cowardly, unprincipled, and unscrupulous tactics as were indulged in py the opponents of Labour during the recent campaign. I. would muen rather be associated with a party that fought the election in a decent and clean manner, and was defeated, than be on the side of a party (or ‘ association ”) which owes its success to the adoption of such contemptible methods. The figures at present available show that there are some 13,676 intelligent citizens in Dunedin —those who voted for a majority of Labour candidates. One can commiserate with them m the ignominy of the municipal administration of their city being placed m the hands of individuals of the calibre of those who represent the enemies of the great majority of the people on the newly-elected council. The only section of the community which will benefit by their administration will oe the comparatively small wealthy section. and those others who voted against Labour, or who did not bother to vote at all. deserve all they get. The pity of it all is that those who were not guilty of such crass stupidny as to vote against their own interests, and the interests of the majority of their fellow citizens, will have to suiter with them.—l am. etc.. , JVlay 15. Sentinel. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—lt will be a matter for regret by most * people who take an interest in civic affairs that Mr Peter Neilson is not among those who are members of the new council. Under his guidance as chairman of the Library Committee great improvements have been effected in our Public Library in Dunedin, and I venture to say that it .is now the finest library in the Dominion. Mr Neilson is no demagogue, but a quiet, unassuming fighter for the principles to which he has devoted his life, and it will be agreed without question by those who know him that there is no greater humanitarian in Dunedin. I would be glad if you would publish this tribute from one who does not

agree with-everything done by the Labour Party, 1 but who has the_ highest respect .for, Mr Neilson, and sincerely appreciates, the efforts made by' this good man to help the less fortunate members of the community. I would also suggest that those who criticised Mr Neilson during the election campaign because he had not attended so many council meetings as the other councillors should publicly apologise, as it was a physical impossibility for Mr Neilson to attend the meetings during the five or six months that he was in hospital. That type of criticism like many other things that were said during the election campaign, was, to say the least of it, most unfair.—l am, etc.. Honour Where It Is Due. May* 15.- r .V' ; \ ,'■•v.;;