A FARCICAL ELECTION.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 843, 3 May 1906, Page 21

A FARCICAL ELECTION.

At the time of the general election and again at the Licensing Committee election we had, unfortunately, every evidence that some persons regard only too lightly the- reason of an election. In a country like ours, where everyone or nearly everyone is endowed with a vote, the conclusion is that that voting power is given with a view of everyone being empowered to have a voice or say in the conduct of the country or the city’s business. Expectation runs that this voting power shall be freely but sensibly used. Given this much in, what can be said of the election for the Mayoralty of this city which took place last week. Can the voters who voted in the minority claim that they used the power given them in a sensible manner ? To what end can it be argued that an election was forced upon the city ? Have we to conclude that among us we have a few voters who are so irresponsible that they cannot distinguish the difference between : sense and nonsense ? Apart from the expense that the city was forced to face in this matter, the principle underlying the turning of an important election into - a farce is one that needs considerable attention. Aspirants for office such as Mayor of Auckland should be required to advance something more than the paltry This deposit alone is not evidence that a candidate would make a Mayor. If' it is deemed sufficient by a certain section, then there is no reason why at election times nominations for office should not be sought from among the inmates of the-Mental Hospital. No doubt many of' the unfortunates there possess the necessary tenner.