The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1876.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 775, 14 December 1876, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1876.

Judging from the manner in which the elections for the County Councils are being got over in Canterbury, the people of this province take but little interest in the result. In a few cases, it is true, a contest will take place, but in the majority of instances the candidates who have announced themselves are being returned unopposed. It is just possible, of course, that those gentleman have the entire confidence of the electors, who are satisfied to leave matters entirely in their hands. But utter indifference is, we are afraid, the true explanation. No pledge whatever has been exacted from the candidate ; his views even on the various questions of the day have never been publicly ascertained. And yet one most important question will soon have to be decided. Are the permissive clauses to be brought into operation or not ? As far as we can learn, in only one or two instances are the opinions of the candidates known on this important point. In those districts where a contest is to take place there is yet time to have this question settled, and obtain the opinion of each candidate one way or the other. For our own part we think the machinery of the Road Boards quite sufficient in this province to carry out the local works of the district, and the intervention of the machinery of the County Councils unnecessary. The people themselves are, we believe, generally of this opinion. But the members of the County Councils may not. If they are returned unpledged on this question, there will be a great temptation to bring the Act into full operation. The moment they are returned and have the power of government within their grasp, it will require a large amount of self-sacrifice to decline the heavy task imposed upon them. If not too late, therefore, it would be well to ascertain the opinion of as many of the candidates as possible on this important point.