THE MAYORALTY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 14

THE MAYORALTY.

Sir,—Tour remarks, about the -Welling-, ton Mayoralty'election in'your sub-leader' to-day arc hardly fair to Mr. M'Laren's ability. Puttinj; national politics aside altogether* Mr. M'Lnrcn's record in municipal service entirely justify him in standing for tho position, of- Mayor. There is an idea abroad now that a Mayor should be either-a wealthy man or l a lawyer, that it is necessary for a mayor toj-Jiave either money or a high 60cial position, to maintain the dignity of the position. Before I met Mr. M'Larcn I, like yourself, had an entirely wrong idea of his ability and qualities, but since I have known him for tho last year I havo found that he is a man possessing good judgment, strong self-control, a quiet, firm dignity, and the knowledge and ability to fulfil the function of chairman of a meeting with firmness and great tact. It would bo interesting 'to tho public if yon would explain why it would bo a good thing if tho other candidates could be brought together with a view to securing tho retirement of one or moro of them. Is there any special reason why this should bo dono for the sake of ousting Mr. M'Larcn more than any other candidate? It would also be interesting to know what the circumstnnces you refer to are. You mention that Mr. Mlaren is the Labour nominee. Do j-on think it is in the best interests of the city to introduce party politics' into its affairs? Most people outside the political ring consider they nre better left out of municipal affairs, and that the best man should be elected independently of his political leanings, and that in the Mayoral contest the electors should consider individual merit and simplencss of purpose, rather than political colour.—l am, etc., F. WALLACE MACKENZIE. Wellington, April 12, 1912. [Onr correspondent apparently does not see that if anyone has introduced party polities into the election it.is thoso who liavo made Mr. M'Laren the Labour nominee. Our view is that tho Mayor of the city should not be the nominee of any one class, but should be-in a position to hold the scales fairly between all classes.] DEFENCE AND PUFF. Sir,—As defence evidently needs, all the bush, I will confine the remarks I wish to make within the limits of a small sentence, in reply to "Hibernian." Ho refers to tho pest of these puffed-up creatures who ignorantly refer to "Major",, instead of ''Major-General" Godley, and bursts himself in protest. What I want to know is: Which are "the puffed-up creatures," and what are they puffed up with?—l am, etc., HENRY BODLEY. April 18, 1012. . DEFENCE AND COMPULSION. Sir,—ln your issue of April 12, the Minister for Defence states that under the Defence Act no Territorial can bo sent out of Now Zealand. If tlat "is so, why are our boys forced to take an oath similar to that taken by recruits to the regular army of England, and which binds our boys until they are thirty years of age? Can-an oath be considered binding wlien taken under compulsion and by boys under age? Mr. J.Eobertscn, M.P., is quite right in saying that "tho body of public feeling against the compulsory system is much larger than is generally supposed." The majority of those who favour it are large propertyowners, and those - who, -like some members of the W.C.D.Ij., have no sons to train, or are not eligible for training themselves. Tho harsh methods employed to force our boys into training for war will be an everlasting Mot on the boasted democracy and freedom of New Zealand. The Government would have been better advised to adopt Mr. Isitt's suggestion of the silken rein. Why could not the matter have been put to the people and a poll taken? It would have been more satisfactory to all concerned. —I am, etc., K. MOORE. MR. ATMORE'S POSITION. Sir.-'-Letters to the press should, of course, deal with facts, and not with personalties, but by signing my name to my letter on Mr. Atmore's position I. have laid myself open to the jpetty abuso of anonymous scribblers. Now, the only excuse for anonymity in one who takes part in a controversy _ in the press, is that he shall deal only in facts, and shall not use his anonymity as a shield from behind which he may deal in personalities. But such lias not been the case with your correspondents who sign themselves "Nelson Voter," and "Not a . Sphinx," who, not possessing sufficient courage, or character, or faith in their cause, thus hide themselves behind puerile pen-names. "Modern Diogenes" "versatile gentleman," used ironically, "disingenuous." these are the sort of terms in which they refer to me—they, who. for aught I know, may havo committed nil the crimes in tho Decalogue, and therefore ara thus forced bo remain In Dhsauritj. Certaijilj, tit*?

have added nothing to tlio controversy. Their letters have not been worth tho spaco allotted to them in yonr columns. They certainly are not worthy of any further notice from me. To revert to Air. At more. For a long time during the election campaign lie would make no declaration as to how he would vote on a motion of want of confidence in the Government. 1 myself tried to draw him on this point, but without success. However, at tho eleventh hour, on the eve of the second ballot, when everyone thought that all the cards were on tho table, ho said that in certain circumstances ho would vote with the Government. Those very circumstances, as I showed in my first letter, came about, and Mr. Atmore, in keeping with his declaration, voted as he said he should in 6uch circumstances. I fail to see how those who sent him to Parliament can quarrel with him on the score (hat in the given circumstances ho voted as he did. He went into Parliament pledged to no party, free to vote as ho pleased. It is folly, therefore, for those who put Mr. Atmore into Parliament to quarrel with his independence—it was they who gavo it to him. It is waste of words for theoi to lament the nse to which he has put that independence. To send an avowed Independent to Parliament, and then to cavil at his notions theTe, is like buying a pup of no professed breed, and then quarrelling witli it because- it docs not turn out to be si Great Dane, or a Dandie Dmmont, or whatever ono's pet breed of dog may be. • Prior to tho general election it appeared to many that Mr. Atmore was an Oppositionist. Seemingly, my anonymous friends were of that opinion. But Mr. Atmore turns out to be something very like a Liberal, bearing a close resemblance to tho true Seddoman breed. This is unfortunate for those who. thinking otherwise, helped to place him in the conspicuous position he occupies today. But, in my opinion, the less they whimper about it the better. Their chagrin merely fills their political opponents with laughter.—l am, etc., A. A. u»A^l!i. Nelson, April 10, 1912. :