COUNCILLOR BENNETT AND THE CIVIC LEAGUE

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 43, 15 November 1926, Page 10

COUNCILLOR BENNETT AND THE CIVIC LEAGUE

Sir, —If Councillor H. D. Bennett was a contributor to your T.D.H. column, or helped your artist, Mr. Paterson, to make fuq. of all and sundry, he would be giving good entertainment. He refers to .the “grandmotherly and patronising homilies frequently issued from the Civic League.” Homilies do not upset strong men ; they slide off like water off a duck. Mussolini or Coates are riot affected by homilies —t they go ahead and get things done. It is only the politician who has his ear to the. ground and lacks initiative that is affected by homilies. \ The influence of the Civic League is not due alone to the Labour Party, it is very largely due to the unparalleled mistakes of The Wellington City. Council for many / years past—in ■ consequence of which - 'rates tire goinghigher and higher—mistakes which are still being daily perpetuated. As a witness, the Gardens proposal, the Kent Terrace fiasco, and tfie proposed fiddling with the Corporation yards. According to Councillor Bennett criticism has approached the vicious from irresponsible people (who are paying for all the fun Councillor Bennett is having) and councillors shouH'be protected in the Press. Poor chajisAccording to Councillor Bennett the handling of the hist election was a classic case of ineptitude, and councillors are of opinion tliat it will repeat its blunders. If the Civic League did blunder badly last election, it was owing to the fact that it made Mr. Norwood Mayor of Wellington, and that every one of the councillors who went in tears to the Mayor were put there last election by the Civic League. If it blundered at all last year, it was owing to its endeavour to induce three or four of our leading councillors to refrain from standing for the Mayoralty and stop making an exhibition of themselves. When the wrangling was over and the present councillors found themselves on the League's ticket, everything in the garden was beautiful. Since they have been elected the Civic League have been judging them, are not satisfied. »d are striking out in a new and strong line ot action, which brings forth the above Bennett. „ „ n childish statements from Councillor H. D. The plain tact is we want a new. system of municipal government in this city, and new men to carry it out; The Civic League has started .well, and if it can secure a good team of. councillors to help Councillor Troup, the League’s nominee of local government indulged in by counfor the Mayoralty, the shocking methods cils for a generation will, be arrested. Councillor H. D. Bennett might very well take a rest for a year or . two.. Xhe strenuous labour in connection with ms municipal duties has given him wrongpoints of view.—l nm, etc., 1 W. STUART WILSON.