THE YOUNG CAN TAKE A FULL SHARE IN LOCAL BODY MANAGEMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 November 1950, Page 7

THE YOUNG CAN TAKE A FULL SHARE IN LOCAL BODY MANAGEMENT

The suggestion that youth can make a contribution to local bodies, and that local bodies should encourage those who will be the ratepayers of tomorrow, was made by Mr Owen Warnock, Citizens' Association candidate for the Wanganui City Council, to a meeting of electors on St. John’s Hill. Mr Warnock pointed out that young men could be trained for future responsibilities in civic management by becoming members of local bodies.

“We have progressed considerably since the time when the prime allegiace of an individual was considered due to his state or city,” he said. On the other hand, it is not improbable that our progression has carried us a little too far in the opposite direction and that now we are inclined to lack in such an attribute as civic interest.

“While we are aware of the existance of a municipality we are prepared to let it exist provided that it appears to be running smoothly,” said Mr. Warnock. “In fact it is only on the arrival of such a thing as a ratedemand that our complacency is inclined to be shattered. Our attitude could be likened to that of an ostrich which diligently buries his head in the sand, apparently to avoid noticing what is going on around him. “We must, primarily, face our responsibilities; responsibilities which are the burden not only of the older members of the community but of the younger ones also. “Secondly, if the main burden of civic adminstration is to fall on the older members of the community, and I think to a large degree that it must, experience gained during youth will assist in the more effective execution of their civic duties when these do eventually fall to their lot. We as children go to school to learn those things which are most likely to prepare us for our future lives. Youth offers the same opportunities to learn the details of civic administration early. In later years therefore with a sound grounding in these matters their contribution will be greater through a fuller understanding of the task. “Thirdly, the youth of today are the rate-payers of tomorrow, and they are, therefore, closely affected by decisions which are made today. Long term policy which is what we should aim at in our civic administration will either benefit or be to the detriment of those who are the youth of today. It is right and proper that youtn should be heard in these matters. KEEP RATES LOW

The primary task of any efficient city council must be to keep the rates as low as possible and yet to give the people all the essential services which they require. At the moment some aspects of the councils’ works are being carried out by contract and I am of the opinion that this is an effective means of saving money. While I realise that in some instances the scheme may be impracticable I would like to see the possibility investigated of a larger quantity of the council’s work being done by contract. In many instances this would result in saving of money and a consequent raising in value of a pound paid in rates. “We have a wonderful city here In Wanganui. Not only for what it is but for what it could be and will be. We are in fact faced with a challenge. The last few months with the opening of Greyhound Buses Ltd. ■ and other improvements has placed Wanganui at the cross-roads. We have the opportunity and the power to surge forward or we can slip back into the old comfortable groove from which we have temporarily been displaced. Let us take up the challenge. Awake Wanganui!”