ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL BODIES

Southland Times, Issue 24376, 5 March 1941, Page 7

ELECTIONS FOR LOCAL BODIES

Conference Opposes Postponement

(United Press Association)

AUCKLAND, March 4

A considerable diversity of opinion on the question of postponing the municipal elections due to be held in May was expressed at the annual conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand when a resolution that no elections be held this year was defeated by 67 votes to 24. A number of delegates abstained from voting. The President, Mr T. Jordan, in moving the resolution, said it was not on the order paper, but he felt conditions in the country today warranted consideration. Mr A. E. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston North, seconded the motion. Mr T. C. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, opposed the proposal. He said one of the things we were fighting for today was the preservation of democratic institutions. The conference should be careful not to deny the people the right to choose their representatives. He did not believe that holding the elections would divide the people. Local body members should be the last to say whether the elections should be postponed. An amendment moved by Mr G. Manning (Christchurch) that the conference abide by whatever decision the Government reached according to the conditions obtaining at the time of the elections was not accepted by the chairman.

Mr R. McKeen (Wellington) suggested that this year’s elections be held and the conference recommend that future municipal elections be postponed for the duration of the war. “This matter is the most important business of the conference,” said Mr I. J. Goldstine, Mayor of One Tree Hill. He moved an amendment that having regard to the international situation and the circumstances outlined by the Prime Minister, and for the purpose of maintaining complete unity in the community war effort the conference express the opinion that the time has arrived for the constitution of a National Government and the postponement of the municipal and national elections. Several delegates objected to the reference to national politics, which, they contended,, were beyond the province of the conference. On the chairman’s suggestion Mr Goldstine withdrew his amendment. Opposition to the motion was expressed by Mr H. T. Morton, Mayor of Te Kuiti, and Mr R. J. Mills, Mayor of Mt. Eden, who said the motion would be a retrograde step, and that the Prime Minister should have given a lead as to the necessity for postponement.

The decision was reached on a show of hands.