The Dunstan Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1876.

Dunstan Times, Issue 763, 1 December 1876, Page 2

The Dunstan Times.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1876.

BenecCfh the rule of men entirety’Oftrsrfc pen is MIGHTIER than like sword.

As the elections under the now Counties Bill will soon be upon us it would bo well that people should bo setting themselves to the task'of making their selections of persons likely to become suitable candidates. As to whom they might finally choose is a matter which might for the present be deferred, the chief object of immediate importance being to secure a suitable field for selection, There can be no doubt about it, let the provincial party say what they like to the contrary, that by the County system the dwellers in the interior parts of Otago will be very, ’considerably benefited, local selfgovernraerit, upon a comprehensive scale, is what we have been wanting for years past, and now that the opportunity is before us, when we shall not only provide ourselves with a local government, but expend our own revenues, it behoves us seriously to take into consideration the most effectual means of achieving our t)hyect. Economy-must be one of the guiding principles in the new scheme; in the first place wo shall have to tax -our-' selves, that is to say, all owners of property will have to contribute directly by an assessment tax levied upon their properties, computated at its annual value to let. Except in the various municipalities, and where road boards exist, property holders have gone scot free, and other people have been made to bear their burdens : this state of things will be permitted no longer, each section of the community ’ will have to beer its share of the public burden, "We do not, however, desire to see owners of property saddled with more thanan equitable proportion of the sura required to be raised, more especially as, should things go wrong in the working of the Countv system, the burden would surely fall heavy upon property holders for reasons that they are the only persons who could be directly taxed to make up any deficiency, This is one very important reason-why electors should be careful in making their final selections ; we do not want men of grand and chimerical ideas, full of promises but barren of practice, what we require is men possessing superior powers of organisation, and whom we know from personal experience have entered into projects and-carried them successfully through. Fine talk and glibness of tongue laden with oily promises will avail nothing in the County Council, every election pretty plainly shows us that professions mean nothing, and we ought not to take into consideration what a man says, but what he does and is capable of (V.ng. Good common! sense and attention to the details of business are qualities to be desired for; a member of the County Council; we have men amongst us possessing these and we shall be greatly assisting ourselves by finding them out. As a rule, when people can conduct their -own business successfully, it is quite reasonable to suppose that they will do so when entrusted with that of other people. One great fault we have to find in the Counties Bill is that no provision is made for the payment of members, except the individual holding the office of Chairman. Why such should be the case we fail to see. Evidently the members comprising the Council are expected to lie men of ability or they would not be permitted to select their own chairman. It can not bo reasonably supposed that people will leave their businesses for days, and perhaps for weeks together, and travel a score or so of miles to attend a Council mcotimr and get nothing for it, not even so much as costs out of. pocket, while we very much question, if any sensible man would find himself comfortable when seated at the Board with the presiding deity enjoying a high salary (and who in point of ability might not be nearly as good as himself) while he was receiving nothing. It seems to ns pretty clear that to secure the services of efficient men they must be paid or at least secured from loss. Wo do not say that they should receive high salaries, a very moderate amount would suffice, and the same in the case of the Chairman, whose chief emolument should be the honor connected with his office.