The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, APRIL. 30, 1929 BACKING THE RIGHT HORSE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 650, 30 April 1929, Page 10

The Sun 42 WYNDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND TUESDAY, APRIL. 30, 1929 BACKING THE RIGHT HORSE

JTNLIKE the inhabitants of great cities in the Old World the people of Auckland to-morrow will be without fear of riot and revolt as violent celebrations of May Day. Their association with an historic day (which is not commemorated in New Zealand except by a few Communists and extreme Socialists who wisely prefer, as at Huntly, to shoot pukekos instead of policemen and politicians), will take the free, democratic form of a poll for the election of local government. This duty may be discharged in circumstances of goodwill and entirely without any desire to break the heads of honest candidates. Still, it is a duty that should not be done in a spirit of flippancy or indifference. Local government is only a little less important than State government, if *there should be weak and mediocre administration in either the community must pay the price of its own folly in voting for the wrong men and the worst policy. Each of many boroughs in and around Greater Auckland has compelling reasons for exercising their Tight of a relatively generous franchise with alert intelligence, considered judgment, and an unwavering determination to secure the best possible administration of vital community affairs. This purpose not only affects progress, but touches the pockets of citizens. Inefficiency and ineptitude in local government are as expensive as party stupidity in national politics. People always get the kind of government they deserve, and if the government is a poor one they have to pay for their deserts. It is as natural as it is right and proper that the greatest measure of public interest should be given to the city’s mayoral and municipal election. The Auckland City Council, in respect of business and responsibility is second only to the State Government for magnitude and importance. But among New Zealand’s record number of local bodies this city’s administration is anything but first for municipal efficiency, progress and px-ofit. It has the best opportunities in the Dominion for acquiring a great name for enterprise and successful expansion; its scale of rates alone—the highest New Zealand ratepayers have ever known—should enable a competent local government to emulate Abu ben Adhem and “lead all the rest.” Apparently the council’s most recent financial record has been so poor that the leading administrators, who have the fortitude to demand re-election, have not had the heart to refer to business results as proof of meritorious ability. No, there has been neither ability nor argument to convince the electors that the whole of the old brigade shoxxld be favoured with an extension of confidence. As regards the task of choosing a Mayor for a growing city that already is the largest in the Dominion, there is no embarrassment on our part in making a reasonable recommendation to thoughtful citizens with whom lies the choice of either a good or a bad government. There are neither lions nor donkeys in the path, and there is no need at all to maintain or break down a tradition of pretence and humbug. Two years ago The Sun, without prejudice or malice, opposed the return of the present Mayor on the clear ground of common sense and for the simple, obvious reason that one term of office had demonstrated conclusively that Mr. Baildon lacked the essential resources for the responsible position. On that occasion the morning journal was with us in a mood of vehement discontent and denunciatory argument against the chief claimant. Our evening contemporary plumped exuberantly for Mr. Baildon and the proved ways of municipal stagnation. On this occasion the morning paper supports the cause of its former exasperation by withholding support from Mr. Vaile. The other evening journal again exercises the sincerest form of flattery by imitating The Sun in saying with commendable candour that two successive terms for Mr. Baildon is enough, and in doubting whether he has the foresight, the driving force and the directive ability necessary for the position. And it favours Mr. Vaile. Therefore, in noting these facts and changes of fancy, it is reasonable and not improper to observe that, if on each occasion one of the two other papers marched with us, The Sun was, and has been, right all the time. Of course, it is an advantage not to be handicapped by a gambler’s love of always being on the horse that will pay a dividend. It is true that we were on the wrong horse two years ago, but then the choice, as now, was on the promise of higher merit and a better performance. The position to-day is not changed. Mr. Vaile promises the best performance. It were foolish to talk of lack of experience. A first-class business man merely needs to acquire the experience of avoiding the sort of hoary experience that does nothing meritorious and gets nowhere. Those who cannot bring themselves to vote for Mr. Vaile should at least vote for Mr. Bloodworth.