ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL BODIES

Southland Times, Issue 24357, 11 February 1941, Page 5

ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL BODIES

Otago Harbour Board Seeks Postponement (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, February 10. A strong protest against the Government’s decision to hold the local body elections next May was expressed at a special meeting of the Otago Harbour Board when a resolution was carried asking the Government to reconsider the question in the light of the changed international position during the past six months. It was pointed out by several speakers that the cost of the elections to the board would be about £lOOO, a sum similar to that which it had been asked to contribute to emergency fire fighting equipment and that if the elections were postponed the board, in common with other local bodies and the Government, would be able to save a considerable amount of money. “It is absolutely absurd that the country should be put to the expense of local body elections this year,” Mr F. E. Tyson said. Mr W. R. Clarke said that the Government had decided to hold the local body elections after the local bodies had answered a questionnaire on the subject and it was probable that the Government’s decision was based on the answers received.” “Since that time,” Mr Duncan said, “we have been shaken out of our complacency. Circumstances were different then and we did not have any fear of invasion or bombardment. lam inclined to think that the Government would be pleased now to have a chance of economising.”