NEW POLLS ACT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 68, 28 April 1944, Page 4

NEW POLLS ACT

Sir, —I should like to pass -a , few more remarks upon the. Local .Elections and Polls Amendment Bill. There are many owners of property •whose' desire it has been, and ' in fact still continues to be, the acquiring of wealth. But this acquiring of wealth can only be done at the expense of others. The latter as far as these persons are concerned is of no consequence. Their passionate desire to possess wealth always seems to say "How much shall I get out of it?" The personal pronoun I always seems to .predominate. Now if the above mentioned points were not true, we would have no' need for such legislation as: The Fair Rents Act. The Land Sales Bill, etc., etc. We have only to read the newspapers to prove how these acquirers of wealth are quite willing to place an exorbitant, price on anything for sale. Legislation like the,, above mentioned has been most necessary to protect the community from persons of this type. Now we must ask the question. Are these the type of persons best •fitted to sit, on County and Borough Councils? Is it possible that these persons who cast aside, the welfare of the community for personal gain, suddenly to open their hearts when around the council table? How can these persons understand the ordinary peoples needs when they are so ready to exploit them? Besides, success in acquiring wealth is no indication whatsoever of the depth of thought possessed. Although I agree that one can live quite happily with one's mind so furnished. But. it is not enough to only consider oneself. And yet, these are the very persons who are against the extension of the local franchise-* They desire, as they have done in the past, to hold the reins of government. These persons would refuse 1 the right to vote,.and the right to stand as candidates for the local Government, to the soldier tenant, the soldier local body employee', who offers his life unquestioningly in order that the wealth and. property of these persons may be protected. Yours etc. • J. DITCHFIELD.