CITIZEN CANDIDATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27499, 20 September 1950, Page 8

CITIZEN CANDIDATES

Sir, —Your correspondent "Amused ** must be deserving of our sympathy. He laughs at his own weakness. The meetings of the Citizens’ Association are always advertised and are open to all of those who arp sufficiently interested to attend. I ant inclined to the opinion, that "Amused ” is just a little economical with the truth in his statement, and this is for obvious reasons. Your correspondent C. Campbell is also a little wide of the facts. There are competent people in Dunedin who have the city’s interests well to the fore in all their considerations. Some getting together is necessary, however, and this is being deliberately classed as “ party ** although the formation was caused by the opposition’s extreme views and actions. My classification of the Citizens’ Association is ” a combination of free individuals co-oper-ating against rabid extremism.”—l am, etc., Be Honest.

Sir, —I am fully in agreement with your correspondent C. Campbell that politics should be kept out of local elections. I recognise, however, that this is not possible for the Labour Party for many years has made them political. The only remedy was, and Is, the Citizens’ Associations. But how foolish of the citizens to Invite comment such as has been printed in your paper. This shows that they are not above “ playing politics ” themselves when their raison d’etre is to prevent it. The exclusion from their " ticket ” of three Hospital Board members of high repute and good standing seems to me discourteous and foolish. I have known both lady members for years, I know the work they have done. They are a credit to their sex and to Dunedin, and to the Hospital Board. I agree with the writer of the letter who says that the nominaated gentlemen should stand aside.—l am, etc., Roslyn.

[We understand that Mrs Norah Rosa was not available for selection on this occasion,—Ed. ODT.I

Sir,—Although some of your correspondents are doubtless having a tilt at the Citizens’ Association for personal or party reasons with a view to creating discord and vote-splitting, I am convinced that there are many who will endorse the sentiments of C. Campbell in deploring the entry of party politics into the arena of municipal affairs, and who would like to make their own choice of candidates, regardless of party. A moment’s reflection will show the difficulty of this. Labour will put up a " ticket ” of men who, if elected, must take their instructions upon policy matters from a Labour caucus outside the council. Labour's organisation is* such that they can command almost a block vote for their supporters for whoever appears on their ticket, regardless of the character, capacity, experience, or civic record of the person concerned. Independents, without the backing of an organisation, have little chance of success, and it would be a very costly business for them to introduce themselves to the public. Because of this, the Citizens’ Association (which can be described as a non-party organisation pledged to keep party politics out of local body affairs) was formed. I am not a member of the committee, although I have frequently been asked to become one,, but I know many of the 33 members of v the committee, and those I know are imbued with one idea only, and that is to secure the nomination of the ablest and most suitable people possible to stand for election. They have, per medium of advertisement, asked for people to offer their services. They have approached many who, for business or personal , reasons, , are not available, and I must say that I consider the “ ticket ” chosen to be a strong one. . c It is asking a great deal to ask men of the calibre of some of our councillors to give up endless time to City Council affairs, and I think the community is under a debt of gratitude to these and the others who have given their time so freely to the city’s affairs. Like others, I have at times been critical of the number of lawyers on the City Council and the number of doctors upon the Hospital - Board. Those “ inside ’’ know that the latter has been a mistake, and personally I am sorry that more doctors have not been dropped when selecting the new citizens’ “ ticket.” Dr Moody, for example. To my mind he is too belligerent and domineering and, may I say, egotistic. However, no doubt he has his good qualities, and doubtless there is good reason for his selection. Personally, I am relieved to see the works and financial side strengthened up by the inclusion of men competent to watch that *side of the board’s business. Ratepayers and taxpayers have to pay for mistakes in expenditure, and these are apt to be expensive. The policy ,of “ the sky’s the limit ” makes it very difficult for a man to save, and personally I think the new men selected for council and Hospital Board will please the majority of discerning people.—l am, etc.. Father of a Family.

Sir,—l see by this morning’s Dally Times that someone Is asking who is the Election Committee of the Citizens' Associa-. tion. It is a question many people will want answered who have contributed to their funds. They have in the past been, practically unknown, but having got themselves into this mess, they will surely b® men enough to come out in the open and let us know who was prepared to commit political suicide in the name of the Citizens' Association.—l am jjecency