City Council Vacancy

Press, Volume C, Issue 29509, 10 May 1961, Page 14

City Council Vacancy

The decision of the Christchurch Citizens’ and Ratepayers’ Association not to nominate a candidate for the City Council vacancy caused by the death of Mr W. J. Cowles should be welcomed by all citizens irrespective of their political views. It means that, unless an independent candidate is misguidedly nominated, the city will be spared the expense of a byelection which could little affect either the balance of power on the council or its corporate efficiency. The Citizens’ Association has wisely anticipated the effect of legislation, which is expected to be enacted during the next session of Parliament, to obviate unwanted and expensive by- • elections for local, body vacancies. The association’s sacrifice of possible elector-

al advantages would be doubly beneficial if, through the strengthening of Labour representation on the council, civic business were subjected to more constructive and more thorough scrutiny. Prospective independent candidates and their supporters should not lightly defeat the association’s aim of saving the ratepayers’ pockets. Risk of losing the statutory deposit of £3 is unlikely alone to discourage an enthusiast who is blind to the fate of independent nominees; yet such an enthusiast might cost his fellow-citizens £4OOO for a by-election. In the present circumstances insistence on the strict letter of democratic procedure would not only be unrealistic; it would be irresponsible.