THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1879.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1713, 16 August 1879, Page 2

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16, 1879.

We have received a circular in reference to a proposed formation of a Ratepayer’s Association for Christchurch. The objects of such Association are stated therein as being—l. To form a combination of ratepayers to watch matters of Municipal interest. 2. By combined action, to secure the election of members to the City Council who shall be nominated by tbo Association, so that tbo Association shall have («) A practical voice in tho management of the affairs of the city. (Zi). Considerable influence in gettinggoodmou to undertake tho office of City Councillor. 3. To discuss any matter that may from time to time arise in connection with the interests of tho citizens, and to promote desirable public objects. The promoters of tbo scheme, in laying their views before the public, state their conviction that such an organisation would ho able to accomplish a most desirable reform, not only in tbo City Council itself, but also in various matters of municipal interest. They further express a hope that, by united action on tho part of the ratepayers, some of tho most objectionable features of municipal elections would, to a great extent, bo got rid of, and that thereby some of the best representative mou in the city will bo induced to place their services at tho disposal of the burgesses. lu concluding their remarks tho promoters advert to tho fact that, as at tho forthcoming election tho whole of tho present City Council are retiring, the present seems an unusually fit time at which to organise such an association as tho ono proposed; and they state that it is thought desirable that tbo association shall pledge itself to have no political bias, and to take no part whatever in political matters, so that it is trusted, that mauy who hold tho most opposite political opinions, will consent to work in harmony in a matter so vitally important to tho immediate interests of all as tho municipal affairs of the city. On Wednesday last wo drew attention to tho desirability of tho citizens bestirring themselves in tbo direction of securing for tho coming municipal year a

City Council “ which would not only reflect tho will of tho ratepayers, hut would, through the dignity and business capacity shown at its mootings, prove a credit to tho good sense and good tasto of the municipal electors.” Tho Association, which is now on the tapis, appears to us a decided move in tho right direction. It would secure the return of gentlemen who would worthily fill tho offices for which they wore elected. Their operations would, as stated iu their programme, remove many of tho objectionable features at present observable in municipal elections, and many desirable men, who would otherwise not enter tho lists, would ho persuaded to offer their services to their followcitizens. Wo certainly advocated a committee for each ward, but this is a minor matter, and it is possible that tho general Association might form sub-associations, one for each of tho four wards. There is one thing, however, wo would desire to call attention to. It appears to us that tho Association should guard against iu any way trenching on tho functions of tho City Council. Suitable men having been chosen and elected, the Council should bo in no wise trammelled by tho action of tho Association, An Association is most desirable as an engine for persuading suitable men to stand, and securing thoir return but, apparently, tho association should ho permanent only in so far as its functions would be called into play at each yearly election. We think tho electors in general would hold to the opinion that it should not sit as a permanent power behind tho throne, throwing out suggestions for tho benefit of tho City Council, and forming an organization that would he suro at times to como into collision with tho Council. Once lot a Council ho formed of the best available materials, and it may bo safely trusted to manage Municipal matters, and should it not, it is responsible to the body of tho electors for its failure. As an engine for choosing and securing tho election of suitable men for the City Council, the Association may ho considered as a most desirable institution. We trust that it will confine its aspirations to this particular object.

A paragraph has gone the rounds of the papers which, to say the least of it, demands some explanation at the hands of those concerned. It is to the effect that the committee to whom has been relegated the details of the distribution of the money, so lavishly contributed by the people of New Zealand in aid of the sufferers by the Kaitangata disaster 1 , have boon so niggardly in so doing as to leave many of the recipients in almost actual distress. It is said that all that has been given to a family of eight has been 30s per week, and that some of the children of those who perished by the disaster are in want of clothing. As to the truth or otherwise of these statements wo are unable to say. But we would point out that they have appeared in papers circulating in the city where the committee referred to is located, and that no refutation or explanation has, so far as we have been able to ascertain, ever been made. All this seems, to say the least of it, somewhat inconsistent conduct on the part of the committee, who, as it will ho recollected, was most generous in its proposal to divert the funds collected for a special purpose to a general fund, embracing all who might bo injured in colliery or mining accidents. Now, it would appear they are going to the other extreme, and with ample funds and to spare, are doling out what, in the case referred to, can hardly ho regarded as a more subsistence. As contributors to the fund, we feel certain that the Christchurch public would like to know how affairs in reality stand. They, in common with the other contributors outside of Otago, have no direct control over the committee who are distributing the fund, hut still they claim to have an interest in the manner of distribution, and have, wo conceit e, a right to be heard should their wishes and feelings in the matter have been disregarded. The central committee might he communicated with, and the question asked whether or not tho statements made in the papers are true. Those reports have caused wide-spread astonishment, and it will be in tho public interests that an authoritative answer should bo given to tho query wo have proposed. The funds at the disposal of tho committee are so ample—the response to tho appeal made having been answered so liberally—that wo would fain believe some misunderstanding has given rise to the paragraphinquestion. But however this may he, it is, wo think, imperative that it should ho publicly kuowu whether it is true or false. If true, then tho sooner tho gentlemen composing tho suh-committoo aref relieved of their duties tho better. If erroneous, then tho public mind will ho sot at rest, and those who worked for and contributed to tho fund will bo assured that tho money raised is being applied to tho best advantage of those whom it was proposed to benefit.