The Waikato Times MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1938 LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20465, 4 April 1938, Page 6

The Waikato Times MONDAY, APRIL 4, 1938 LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Reports from many towns in the Dominion show that much more interest than usual is being taken in the coming local body elections. For many years efforts have been made to keep civic affairs outside the arena of party politics, but with comparatively little success. In some towns a compromise has been reached, but in a larger number the part\- aspect hqs been stressed because of the activities of Labour supporters. It is their belief that they are fully justified in applying to local government the same principles as they wish to see directing the national administration. Because of their numerous activities local bodies are large employers and Labour sees many advantages to be derived from the election of a sympathetic borough council. The contention is that civic and national affairs differ only in degree. They both are controlling authorities and that Labour proposals embrace them both.

On the other hand very many people prefer the view that local affairs are not political issues in any way. They contend that ninetenths of the work is purely local and largely administrative. fhi local bodies are not concerned, as such, with national or political issues, but are charged with the control and the development of purely local affairs. Each town has its own peculiar problems, and the personnel of the council should be selected solely on their capacity to deal with the requirements of their particular centre. The appearance of Labour, as an organised part}', in the municipal sphere has not been followed by party nominations from other political sections. In a majority of the boroughs the reply has taken the form of a non-political local organisation, a citizens’ association or some such body, established for purely local purposes.

Both the political and non-political sections are now at work organising for the coming local body elections. The result will be a wider interest and probably much heavier voting than on previous occasions. But it is to be hoped that the intrusion of the political aspect will not cause people to overlook the importance of what might be termed local programmes. Civic interests should be the concern of all citizens and any controlling authority will do better work when it knoAvs that it has the support of the residents. An alert local interest, a civic pride, Avill have its influence on any council. It will be for the candidates from the political side to outline their programme and intentions, and they can have only local application, because the authority of any municipal body does not go N beyond its boundaries. Hamilton has its own issues and the decisions will not be made easier by the addition of political contentions. The same conditions are reported from many other places, and it looks as though the local body elections will, among other things, give the people an opportunity to show plainly that they desire political and municipal affairs to be kept apart, if only because in that way purely local matters can be dealt with on their merits.