LOCAL ELECTIONS ACT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5942, 12 May 1944, Page 3

LOCAL ELECTIONS ACT

DISCUSSION BY WAITOMO COUNTY COUNCIL DIRECT ACTION NOT FAVOURED The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act was subject to much adverse criticism at the Waitomo County Council meeting held on Friday last, but direct action as suggested in a letter from the Oroua County Council, Feilding, was not favoured. That County sought the endorsement by the Waitomo Council of a resolution passed, which read as follows: “That Provincial Councils and all branches of the Farmers’ Union organise for direct action to prevent the enforcing of the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act.”

The Oroua County expressed the opinion that the real object of this legislation was not simply to extend the franchise to the non-ratepayer, but its real purpose was to do away with the country quota and nationalisation of land. Action could be taken by concerted refusal on the part of all ratepayers to pay either rates or income tax until the repeal of the Act.

The Oroua County Council contended that such action would not have an effect on the war effort. The feeling of futility and frustration which was spreading as a result of the Act must, undoubtedly, adversely affect production. “I agree with the principle but not the remedy,” said Cr Boddie. Cr Webster said he favoured direct action. At the last meeting when a similar suggestion was before the meeting, he was inclined to be a little more moderate as the Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act had not been put forward. “We say we do not like it, but we do not want to do anything that is not gentlemanly. It is quite impossible for a few isolated members to take extreme measures. If united, I think we are doing the right thing and could look back on it and say it was the right course to adopt. It is not the legislation that has already been passed, but what is promised to be in store for the farmers,” he said. “Now is the time for us to take some definite stand,” said Cr Hobern. “There is a war on,” interjected Cr Boddie.

“There is no use lying down and getting kicked,” said Cr Webster. Cr Lee said that any local body that talked about strike would not have his support. County Councils were there for a purpose and had to work under legislation enacted for many years. Other organisations were only trying to make a jockey horse of local bodies. There were plenty of opportunities for individuals to take direct action. It was not right for one local body to write to another in the strain of the letter before the Council.

These remarks were endorsed by Cr Boddie, who said that all recognised the gravity of the legislation recently enacted, but it was astounding that one local body should write to another and ask it to take direct action. Councillors were elected to carry out obligations. The speaker said he could not identify himself with direct action. There was only one remedy so far as he could see, and that was to get a good sound Government in office.

The opinion was expressed by Cr Georgetti that the Council should not follow in the steps of the people who were doing wrong. Councillors were not elected for the purpose of prejudicing the ratepayers’ interests but for protecting them. It was up to Councillors to carry out the law as they found it. Cr Black said it was not the responsibility of County Councils to undertake any sort of direct action. If it were necessary action should be taken individually. It was pointed out by Cr Black that when a person was elected to a local body he was obliged to administer the law according to the Abt.

z Cr Verry said he did not believe in direct action. If the time came when he was persuaded it was necessary it was not the responsibility of the local bodies but of the Farmers’ Federation, and it would then require an almost unanimous mandate from the farming community to justify it. Cr Brickland said he predicted big changes when the soldiehs returned. He was not in favour of direct action. It was resolved, on the motion of Cr Lee, seconded by Cr Boddie, that the letter be received.