The Feilding Star. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 1884. The Borough Elections

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 35, 4 September 1884, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 1884. The Borough Elections

On Thursday, the 11th instant, the burgesses will be called upon to select, from six of their fellow citizens, three to represent their interests in the Borough Council. The names of the candidates are — W. Arnott, E. P>. Gichard, W. D. Nicholas, C. Roe, J. C. Thompson, and P. Tno.vsox. The two last-mentioned have already been members of the Council, and their modes of acting and thinking in that capacity are tolerably well-known to the ratepayers. As the latter are, although well acquainted with the many valuable qualities and private virtues of the other four candidates, quite ignorant of their views on Borongh matters, they have a right to expect the several candidates should take an early opportunity of explaining them in public, in order that fair and just opinions may be formed to guide the "obliterating pencil" at the ballot box. As Mr J. C. Thompson has had the most experience, we venture to suggest that he should set the example by calling the ratepayers together. He would then have an opportunity of giving an account of his stewardship for the past three years, and also of giving an outline of his future intentions, if elected. Or if he does not like to follow this conrse, an arrangement could be made by which the whole of the candidates could call a meeting at the Public Hall, and severally expound their ideas. We are perfectly aware that the natural modesty, of some of them at least, makes this course somewhat distasteful. They would much prefer to go to the poll on their merits, and shun the glare of publicity on the public platform. The quality of modesty, with its graceful shrinking timidity, is very estimable, no doubt, in private citizens, but when the suffrages of not over wealthy ratepayers are solicited this quality should be laid aside, and men who aspire to public honor, and are desirous of assisting to control the expenditure of public money, ought not to shrink from the public gaze, but should let people know, from their own lips, why they think themselves possessed of the capacity necessary to enable them to act with economy, honesty, and discretion. They should not expect the electors to evolve this from their own inner consciousness. Until some expression is given by the several candidates, it would be out of place for us to make any comment or comparisons on their merits and qualifications Should our suggestion be carried out with regard to a public meeting, we would like such to be composed of ratepayers whose names appeared on the roll. All other persons, of whatever age, with very few exceptions, should be carefully excluded, in order that no valuable time should be wasted, and to prevent any unseemly interruptions from the larrikin classes. Those candidates who are not experienced in public speaking would therefore be put to no inconvenience, nor suffer interruption.