THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 1919. THE ELECTIONS.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15059, 30 April 1919, Page 4

THE COLONIST. WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 1919. THE ELECTIONS.

The electors o f all boroughs are required to-day tb make their choice of representatives, on the various local bodies which will control their affairs tor the ensuing two years. It is a duty to which no citizen can afford to be indifferent. We have discussed at considerable length during the last week subjects relating, to the elections here which-are of outstanding importance to the public, in their bearing upon the selection of. candidates, and to-day we have little to add to what we have already said. For the Mayoralty we have supported-the candidature of Mr Snodgrass for reasons which we are sure make the strongest appeal to the great majority of the electors. He has filled the office worthily for two years and has led the Council in a policy of administration which has produced highly beneficial results. The Mayor has established the best possible claim jto an extension of his term of office, while on the other hand his opponent has adduced no arguments to show that the city would profit by the change he asks the electors to make. The choice of the electors lies between a candidate whose case is supported by | his record of zealous and unselfish ser- ! vice during two years, and one who bases his claim on premises which, we ! can only regard as vague and unsatis- | factory in the circumstances-..,0f the present contest., As a body the retiring councillors have handled the city's affairs capably,'and they ; also have.an excellent administrative record to their credit. The same remarks, apply to the retiring members of other local bodies who offer themselves for re-election. The point upon which we would lay especial emphasis to-day is the importance of a full exercise of the electors 7 privileges. When Parliament decided a few years back that all local elections should be held simultaneously, an argument upon which the advocates of the change set great store was the quickening of interest in local politics that would follow from it, inducing heavy polling. If that result is not notice-j able in a marked degree it must be j confessed that the system has singularly little toscominend it. However, the electoral duties devolving upon the people should be regarded as duties not'to be. held in light esteem, for good local government is as important to the community as is sound national government to the nation, and in each case the people have the matter in their own hands.