NOMINATION MISSED

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1935, Page 4

NOMINATION MISSED

member of the council NEW PLYMOUTH BOROUGH POLLS. CRITICISMS BY MR. S. J. SMITH. “NEED FOR MORE ORGANISATION.” The non-appearance of Cr. S. J. Smith’s name on the list of nominees fof the New Plymouth Borough Council elections on May 8 was the cause of much surprise after nominations closed at noon on Wednesday. When inquiries were made subsequently Mr. Smith expressed disappointment that he had not been nominated, characterising the omission as due to “everyone’s business being no one’s business.” Mr. Smith criticised the Vogeltown Progressive Association for calling a meeting of ratepayers’ associations that did not eventuate. Mr. Smith also referred to the part he considered the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and the New Plymouth Retailers ’Association should play in seeing that suitable men were nominated for positions on the council. The Retailers Association had been approached but did not feel disposed to act, explained Mr. W. F. Short, chairman of the Vogeltown association. Mr. V. Duff, Retailers’ Association secretary, pointed out in a later interview that the invitation to join in a combined meeting was received in the middle of the holiday period when no meeting of the retailers was possible, and he gave it as his personal opinion that the nomination of council candidates was a matter for citizens only in their capacity as ratepayers. “When I was approached by reporters some time ago I made it clear that my nomination was a matter for the ratepayers,” said Mr. Smith yesterday. “My services have always been available and always will be. For the past two years I have worked in the interests of the borough and the ratepayers, and I am naturally very disappointed in not being approached.” His services had been appreciated, he added, judging by remarks made to him by other councillors, and since the closing of nominations men of all shades of politics had expressed surprise at the non-appearance of his name.

“NO ONE’S DUTY.” “What is everyone’s duty is no one’s duty, apparently,” he continued, “and those whom I had told I was willing to stand again evidently thought the nomination would be arranged. I do not think, however, that a man can go round asking people to nominate him. “The Vogeltown Progressive Association had announced that it was going to communicate with other ratepayers’ associations in the town and the Retailers’ Association,” he explained, “and . it seems that ratepayers, seeing that, imagined nominations were being arranged. I blame the Vogeltown association for not carrying out that intention. “I think the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers’ Association are two representative bodies that should take a more active part in seeing that those Jikely to assist the borough are nominated,” continued Cr. Smith. “In previous elections nominations have been left to the eleventh hour, and the chamber and association should appoint an executive to make the necessary organisation.” As far as he was himself concerned, he added, he had the time to devote to the work. Membership of the works committee took up a good deal of time at meetings and inspections, and one was at everyone’s beck and call. He had given up bowling to do his work as councillor more efficiently.

The ratepayers realised the present haphazard system was wrong, averred Mr. Sfnith, but he did not blame them. No man was probably more disappointed than he at being unable to stand for election, as he had helped to set in train the negotiations regarding public matters such as the acquisition of Brooklands, the widening of the port road, the development of the airport and the formulation of plans for the improvement of the East End-Fitzroy ' foreshore. He would have liked to help bring to fruition schemes already begun.

ASSOCIATION’S EXPLANATION. “Mr. Smith is mistaken,” said Mr. Short, “as the Vogeltown association did everything possible to bring the ratepayers’ associations together. _ The secretary, Mr. T. Innes, had received a promise of support from the Frankleigh Park Association, but the Westown body ha? stated that it already had its two nominees, Messrs. F. J. HiU and J. Darby. Mr. Innes, Mr. Short believed, had difficulty in getting into touch with the right people at Fitzroy and Moturoa, and since then Fitzroy had nominated Mr. H. Lester. The Retailers’ Association had also been approached to attend a combined meeting, but that had not eventuated. The Easter holidays had made more difficult the arrangement of the meeting, and in view of the inability to support he spent time himself on Wednesday morning interviewing men it was thought would be of use, but those ne approached would not consent to nomination. , He did not see, added Mr. Short, now Mr. Smith could blame another district for the omission. There had been a combined ratepayers’. associations’ executive for the previous election, but after that there had been suggestions of the “forcing” of candidates upon the ratepayers, and apparently that had had an effect. Vogeltown did what it could, this time, and it seemed to him that the responsibility had devolved an the separate associations. Mr. Short agreed with Mr. Smith that there should be some organisation. It was only by chattel that he collected the letter, advising of the proposed meeting, in the middle of the holiday period, explained Mr. Duff, and there was no chance of calling a retailers meeting. In any case the Retailers* Association had decided not to take any part in politics, and it seemed to him that the nomination of council candidates was a matter purely for ratepayers.