The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd. MONDAY, MARCH 10. 1930. TRUST THE PEOPLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19015, 10 March 1930, Page 8

The Christchurch Star PUBLISHED BY New Zealand Newspapers Ltd.

MONDAY, MARCH 10. 1930. TRUST THE PEOPLE.

Gloucester Street and Cathedral Square CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND. London Representatives: R. B. BRETT & SON 134 FLEET STREET. LONDON, E.C.4.

IT WOULD BE the greatest mistake in the world to think that the vacancy on the City Council should be tilled without a ballot. It would be a pity to deprive the eleetbrs of so rare an opportunity of reviewing the somewhat unexpected results that their votes brought about at the election of Mayor and councillors—or more important still, of reviewing the policy of the Council since that time. It is regrettable that party warfare should enter into local politics. The majority of citizens, indeed, would prefer a Council united for the good of the city, and not divided by the dissensions of individuals with (in many cases) Parliamentary ambitions, radical or conservative. But since general political organisation has forced its way into local politics, and civic policies are constantly determined by party votes, by all means let the mind of the constituency on these matters be taken at every opportunity. The by-election in Christchurch raises a very interesting point on the subject of Proportional Representation. At the election under this system last year, the Citizens’ Association secured eight seats, Labour seven, and the Independents one, but the return of a Labour Mayor (on a not strictly party vote) created a party deadlock which was overcome when the Independent councillor allied himself with Labour. * It would be absurd to argue that the citizens did not get the Council they bargained for, but it would be the poorest compliment to P.R. to say that it should provide machinery for by-elections by which the original party strength would be maintained. Such a system would be too dangerous to contemplate. It would ignore three vital considerations, if not four:(1) The calibre of the candidates Yejected at the first ballot. (2) Possible changes in the constituency. (3) Changes of public opinion; or the right of the electors through the ballot-box to review the policies of parties or of individuals. (4) The right of every citizen to offer himself for election.

It is quite true, as Mr J. M’Combs, M.P., says, that if the votes that elected {lie late Councillor Sharpe could be distributed among the unelected candidates they would return a Labour nominee. But this is merely special pleading on behalf of Labour. Mr M’Combs would never argue that if Dr Thacker resigned from the Council his place should be taken by an eliminated Independent, or even that if a Citizens’ Association councillor died Labour should not contest the byelection. Moreover, Mr M’Combs ought to be too staunch a supporter of the underlying principle of P.R.—majority rule—to argue, as he does, that the system leaves something to be desired so long as it fails to provide for the filling of a vacancy without a ballot. He, as a Labour man, must regard the return of a Labour candidate for the vacancy as highly desirable, but he could not argue that if the whole constituency were opposed to the continuation of a Labour majority on the Council, they should be denied the opportunity of saying so at a by-election. NEW ZEALAND TENNIS. AN AUSTRALIAN B team of tennis players has beaten New Zealand’s A team with the loss of only two singles matches—by its fourth man. An analysis of the play disposes of the apology that is often tendered for such defeats, that if New Zealanders had practice against better players they would reach a higher standard of excellence. Perhaps the chief weakness disclosed was in smashing, which could be improved by practice with the assistance of a junior. Then again, they were lacking in control of the ball, which is, of course, more difficult to develop, inasmuch as it varies according to the speed of the opponent’s game. It may be said, too, that the New Zealanders lacked the aggressive backhand shots of their opponents, and here again, endless practice is necessary to perfection. One fears that the fault recently found with New Zealand cricket—lack of practice—also lies at the door of New Zealand tennis. Men play enough matches, perhaps, and give more time to the game than their other interests in life would justify, but they do not discipline themselves enough in the constant practice of strokes in which they are demonstrably weak. A champion tennis player must have no palpable weaknesses, or they will be quickly exploited by his opponents. He must strengthen his game all round by stroke practice, and then aim at reaching physical perfection for the ordeal of match play. This was the method by which Anthony Wilding reached the top of the ladder in the world of tennis, and Christchurch players should take a leaf out of the book of their distinguished townsman.