LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27523, 18 October 1950, Page 6

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

The- unfortunate situation which was created by the Dunedin Citizens’ Association through its decision to drop from its nomination for the Hospital Board election two sitting members of the board has been resolved in the most satisfactory way. Credit is due to the two Citizens’ Association candidates who have withdrawn from' the “ticket,” and to Miss Roberts and Dr North, who have consented to accept the association’s sponsorship after having been treated with lack of consideration, and even of courtesy. Miss Roberts and Dr North discovered in their rustication a measure of public sympathy and support which must have gratified them. The aroused interest of women’s organisations, which were prepared to ensure that these candidates would not lack sponsorship as independents, was a noteworthy development. The women of Dunedin and Otago could make a greater and important contribution to public affairs, and the hope may be expressed that they will be encouraged through this episode to take a larger part in the civic life of the community.

A split vote by those who are opposed to partisan intervention in local body administration has now been prevented. The citizens of Dunedin who resent the Labour Party’s insistence upon making the elections a political battleground—gnd they are a substantial majority of citizens —can now cast their votes with undivided loyalty. The fact that not only in Dunedin, but in the northern centres, Citizens’ Association nominations have been challenged by the public emphasises the need for the anti-Socialist organisations to co-operate on the widest democratic basis, so that their necessary work can be undertaken without mistakes arising due to prejudice, special interests or bad judgment. The public has been apathetic, and citizens’ associations in all centres have been, of necessity, more or less self-constituted. It is desirable that they should be reorganised more on the lines of the National Party, or even that the National Party should accept responsibility at local body level. The people of Dunedin, who have been quick to criticise the Citizens’ Association when they considered its decisions misguided, must realise that their own indifference is the main cause of the difficulties that have arisen.