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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 251, 23 April 1912, Page 4

THE MAYORALTY,

With the approach of polling day interest, in the New Plymouth Mayoral election quickens. The supporters of each candidate arc working hard, if quietly, to ensure the return of their man, and, as far as one can see, there is sure to be a fairly heavy poll. This is a welcome departure from the indifferenee that has usually characterised the filling of municipal posts. It is the habit, in New Plymouth as in many other places, to disparage, if not to belittle, the efforts of those who undertake the work of civic government, but if members of the Council are unequal to their responsibilities who are to blame but the burgesses themselves? If the people take no intelligent interest in the affairs of the borough their apathy is almost invariably reflected in the Council, and the reverse also holds good. There are not wanting indications that this town is on the verge of important developments, and it is more than ever necessary that its chief office should be filled by the most capable man available. Burgesses have to decide between the present Mayor and a gentleman who hag had some years' experience in public and semipublic capacities. It will be generally conceded that Mr. Browne has given ungrudgingly of his best during the time he has been Mayor and striven conscientiously in the interests of the ratepayers. The Council has just concluded what in the circumstances may be considered a j successful year, and for the part he has taken in bringing this result about Mr. Browne is deserving of every recognition. It has, however, to be remembered that the Mayor's work has been made comparatively easy by the Council having in its new foreman-engineer a very capable and experienced man and a town clerk whose advice on financial matters is invaluable. With such capable officers, it would be difficult for even an inefficient Mayor and Council to go far astray. Frequently it ia claimed for a Mayor that he himself is responsible for all the good work done in a borough, when councillors are entitled to the bigger share of credit. The fact that a borough is managed by the Council as a whole and no's by a Mayor altogether should not be logt sight of, though it is apt to be in a nwyoral contest. A Mayor may go into office committed to a definite programme, but what can he do by himself T He, after all, is only a unit of the Council. On the other hand, a Mayor may often give a very useful lead to the Council—and out of it, for that matter. He must first of all, however, command the confidence of his confreres. It is this type of man that is wanted in New Plymouth at the present moment. His best friends will not claim for Mr. Browne that he altogether iills the bill. He has proved himself a decided success in some respects; but in others he has not been so convincing. There is one thing we have heard advanced against the candidature of Mr. Medley, and that is he would not be as "live" as the position calls for. In other respects, it is acknowledged, he would prove desirable. But the very same objection, it wifl be recollected, was brought against the late Mr. Tisch when he first stood. Yet he proved the "livest" man the borough ever had. The same would probably be the verdict were Mr. Medley elect ed. He is a man of wide experience and knowledge, has a close acquaintance with municipal law, a grip of finance, knows how to manage and handle men, is one of the most "approachable" of people, is the soul of honor and integrity, and would do the town credit on all and every occasion. Mr, Browne has rendered valuable and conscientious service to the borough. As a councillor he has no superior in New Plymouth; as Mayor, however, he is frankly not a success. The interests of the borough would not, we are sure, suffer from giving another man a trial, especially a man of the experience and standing of Mr Medley.