AFTER THE STORM
WITH the elections over and local body routine now settling down to something like normal, it is timely to pass a few remarks regarding the good old system of democratic! government which is still regarded by Britishers as the best in the world. It is a good thing that we have achieved to the state of agreeing to differ with our fellows politically, but nevertheless remaining good friends with them just the same. That is toleration of the other chap's point of view and it represents the safety-valve of the system born a thousand years ago with the* election of the first British Parliament and will outlast Dictatorship by a similar period. Thus we will regard the result of the polls on Saturday last, and thus like London, we can take it as it comes, and if our candidate is defeated, we will nevertheless afford his opponent our support and our encouragement by way of giving him a fair trial. Correspondence throughout the brief election campaign in these columns reflected a good deal of feeling on the question of County representation, That in itself is a healthy sign, and is far to. be preferred to a state of torpid stagnation. The result has been a test of popular opinion, and the voice of the county ratepayers has been interpreted by Saturday's polls. The whole question is now settled and we can all extend our congratulations to the successful and the unsuccessful candidates; to those who. find* public endorsement of their candidature, on their election to a position of onerous serviqe,, and to those who were defeated on their pluck and willingness to give of their time and substance for the benefit of their fellows. Small-minded pettiness is out of the question. The majority has decided and that is the finish. This is a greater thing than we can hope to put into words and though in a small way we have tasted in the election, something of workings of the democratic system, it is impossible for us to comprehend just how deeply and completely it is part of our lives, our outlook and our faith. We are governing ourselves as every free-born Britisher is entitled to, and if that right is threatened by the powers which thrive by subordinating the individual to the will of the oppressor, we will continue to fight and to die,, as Englishmen have done in the past, since first they created and enjoyed— freedom.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 307, 19 May 1941, Page 4
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412AFTER THE STORM Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 307, 19 May 1941, Page 4
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