TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 13th MAY, 1938. THE ELECTIONS—AND AFTER.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4047, 13 May 1938, Page 4

TE AWAMUTU COURIER. Printed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. FRIDAY, 13th MAY, 1938. THE ELECTIONS—AND AFTER.

ONLY a formal and somewhat ceremonial step now remains to be taken to install the new Borough Council in office. The noise of the election is over and the cheering has ceased. We must return from the realm of speculative interest in the destinies of local government to the sterner realities of progressive administration. When the election was on the horizon of time the question was asked whether Te Awamutu was bankrupt or, alternatively, whether there was in the background of an apparent civic apathy a smouldering alertness which needed only the stimulus of a contest to mark a healthy community spirit. Now that the excitement is over it can be admitted that there was not over-much commotion in Te Awamutu. That is perhaps a gratifying thing because of the absence of acrimony and dispute which so often enters, but the fact that nearly 1000 electors failed to record a vote is certainly Suggestive of a disregard which is not good citizenship. A keener appreciation should and must be encouraged. Nevertheless even ii only in a modified form a healthy alertness did prevail and for it the community is largely indebted to those gentlemen who made possible the election and the manifestation of this spirit. Very necessary now and at all times are' the constitutional methods for public opinion to be given its expression and although it must inevitably happen that the sifting of majorities will mean that policies or proposals are set on one side there comes, through the considered selection, a course for evolutionary progress to follow as well as a speed at which progressive development shall proceed. To those candidates, therefore, who offered themselves and were not elected, the community owes recognition. They subscribed to the highest ideals when they offered themselves and, more than that, they provided the channels through which public opinion could register itself in a proper and constitutional way. On those who have been elected many responsibilities must fall during the next three years. Te Awamutu is a thriving town and the need for improved services and public amenities becomes increasingly great. In finance and in works much thought and activity will be demanded. It is certain that loan negotiations, already begun, will have to be vigorously pursued for such capital works as water supply, footpaths and thoroughfares In addition, storm water and sewer age services are rapidly becoming in adequate for an ever-increasing demand upon them. In these things necessity has already created the demand and it remains only for the Council to formulate its plans so that public acceptance may be given them. In this regard the Council is perhaps fortunate because it has no call to speculate the future; the demand exists and is positive and all that remains to be done is to fashion the cloth to fit the garment. This, however, is not altogether easy; the terms of financing call for care and prudence and the planning of a works schedule requires infinite thought and diligent consideration. In association with all this are related questions of a somewhat compel character. The revaluation of rateable lands so as to secure an equitable spread of responsibility in keeping with changes brought about since the last valuation was made is a preliminary which should not be overlooked. The methods of supervision—now and in the future —of the works themselves will have a very important bearing. It may be hoped that the Council will find possible some means of securing resident instead of consulting engineering service so as to secure greater continuity in the scheme of works and linking every undertaking as a related whole

in a plan of works. The new Council can, however, face its tasks cheerfully in the knowledge that it goes to office with a large measure of public confidence in it to acquit, itself well. To those Councillors who have retired after years of service, recognition is certainly due. By their efforts they have laid a foundation on which a structure of continued development can be expanded. Very certainly they have left Te Awamutu a bigger and better town than they found it when they entered office. No greater tribute could be offered any man than the acknowledgement of his willingness to serve the highest call to public duty. It needs must be remembered that our councillors are volunteers in a sphere of duty which offers no remuneration. On them falls the burden of responsibility to not merely advance a proposal but to translate the ideal into action. And that, be it admitted, is no easy task. So, when the elections are over, be it asked what of the future. If the citizen maintains a genuine interest in the body corporate—both in its policy and administration opinion must have outlets for expression and it it would naturally follow that at times conflicting views will emerge. That, indeed, is a wholesome condition because it is only by the processes of analysis that public interest can be properly determined. The Council offers leadership. By the exercise of its powers and prerogatives it is enabled to direct public expenditure into approved channels. In this regard there is perhaps the greatest of all defects in the democratic system of Government the defect that it moves slowly, slower no doubt than direct control would move. But it moves surely along the lines of public interest because of the care that must be exercised in the analysis of expressed opinion. Thus, it is clear, the council is not, alone in facing responsibility. The citizen whose views are worthy of consideration, must be prepared to offer, not merely criticism at ill-timed moments, but constructive suggestion through those constitutional channels which offer for the sifting. If the citizen does his part—suggestion rather than criticism—the Council can more assuredly go forward toward the steady attainment of all that is most desired—the consistent and progressive development of all that is implied in the term, public welfare.