LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXX, Issue 9682, 20 June 1941, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

- THE OPEN-DOOR POLICY Sir, —At the first ordinary meeting of the Waihi Borough Council, our worthy City Fathers, thanks to our energetic deputy-Mayor, Cr. S. M. Hovell, adopted what, to my way of thinking, is the old democratic principle of an "open-door" policy. A deputation waited upon the council, and the council, in its wisdom, discussed and finalised the question in open meeting. They did not do as past councils have done—go into committee and, as "protected game," give vent to their feelings and, in most cases, turn down flat the representations made, without anyone knowing how each councillor expressed himself. Good lads, deputy-Mayor, Mi Mayor, old councillor and new blood; you are on the right track. Keep the doors open, lay your cards on the table, and at the end of your three-year term, if you stick to your present policy, I, for one, will vote you all back again, even though you have spent a few pounds on a Mayoral chain.—l am, etc., ABOVE BOARD.

SIMPLE DIGNITY Sir, —In expectation of a spectacle that, for pageantry alone, could not be surpassed at the opening of New Zealand's Parliament, I attended the first ordinary meeting of the Waihi Borough Council on Wednesday evening. I had been sorely misled by your correspondent, "All (Even Life) for Dignity." What did I find? Merely that the town clerk announced the Mayor when the time for opening the meeting had come with the words: "Gentlemen, the Mayor"; and that the Mayor, as he was about to take his scat, courteously asked those who were standing round-the council table, or who were in the public gallery, to take theirs. "Be seated, gentlemen," he said. It was pleasing to note that your representative gave doubters as to procedure a lead by standing immediately His Worship entered. Such a representative, I suggest, Mr Editor, is not now to proper procedure at local body meetings; and I also suggest that, in the fulness of time, he will be not unworthy of your place and pen.—l am" ctc -> DECORUM!

THE MAYORAL CHAIN Sir,—Hearty congratulations to the Borough Council ignoring the silly "anti" scribes in regard to the Mayoral chain. "AIL for Dignity," and his so-called democratic principles, and "On Guard," for a poor attempt to put Cr. Hovell right C?)', should keep out of print. The subject was introduced by Cr. Hovell at the annual budget, as reported in the "Telegraph," and provision was macje. It makes not one iota pf difference to the ratepayers. Fools rush in, ptc—l am, etc.., ADVANCE THE ; COUNCIL. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS "Spokeshave:*—Your poem will appear in our Monday's Issue.