THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2145, 10 January 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.

Touching the forthcoming election o£ a member to represent the north-west ward in the City Council, we desire to offer a few observations additional to those contained in our leader on this subject last week. It is to be feared that the ratepayers generally do not take that amount of interest in the conduct of municipal affairs which their importance should command, such indifference being chiefly noticeable at election times, when it becomes their duty to select representatives of the city, who, in their turn, are charged with a most important trust. As a result of this indifference, which, wherever it is known to exist, cannot be too deeply deplored, unqualified men occasionally creep into a position they neither will nor can occupy for the good of the community, and in this way the reputation of an administrative body is frequently dragged through the mire. There can ) be no need for illustration in support of the assertion. In a general way, all men of experience must admit that townspeople too frequently neglect their duty in the matter of their own local government, aiid if need were, it would not be difficult to point the moral from pages in the history of Christchurch. Howbeit, reflections on the past are vain, except when utilised for our better guidance in the future; and in this spirit we hare presumed to approach the subject of the present municipal election. The ratepayers of the ward in question ought, in their own interests, to consider their position in this matter very closely. But they may well go farther than that, and look to the possible effect of the election on the city generally. The amount of good or harm one may be capable of in himself, is as nothing

to the influence he may exert with respect to others. This is especially the case in a hody like the City Council, the members of which should, as far as possible, work in complete harmony and for the general weal.whilst at the same time guarding the interests of the particular localities they individually represent. It is, for instance, or should be, an essential condition that the candidate be capable of commanding the respect of those he has to work with, and that he is not likely to prove an obstructionist in the conduct of public business. An incompetent and offensive person may do an incalculable amount of harm in representative institutions of the kind, even though he have no sympathisersamong his colleagues. We hope, therefore, such considerations will receive due weight in the choice of a member to fill the vacant seat in the Council. It would not have been deemed necessary to offer this word of caution, but for the fact before alluded to, that the ratepayers at times show themselves too indolent or indifferent when they are asked to exercise their privileges many of them, perhaps, going to the poll with no very clear notion of the character of man they are about to vote for, and many others, it is to be feared, never taking the trouble to place a vote on record. In the which state of things, it becomes easy for a small section of the community to put up, and finally put in, the most undesirable of men. Of the three candidates who offer themselves for election, Mr. Oliver might possibly be sidled into the Council on such conditions—that is, supposing the ratepayers to be regardless alike of their reputation, their proper dignity, and the important interests involved. A following that gentleman do doubt enjoys. Unfortunately, a certain amount of brass, backed up by confidence and energy, will always secure supporters for gentlemen of Mr. Oliver's class, who have a yearniDg after public position. It seems scarcely probable that the following should be considerable, seeing that, unfortunately for his candidature, but fortunately for the people, Mr. Oliver has succeeded in making himself tolerably well known. Nevertheless, we have thought it advisable to urge upon the ratepayers of North-West Ward to be watchful of their interests for the reasons above stated. To those who are not acquainted with the candidates who offer themselves for election, if many such there be, we would repeat the necessity of assuring themselves, before they make np their minds how to vote, that they will be creditably represented. If by any strange chance, such as occasionally befals an ambitious noodle, who " hath impudence at will," Mr. J. P. Oliver should be added to the ranks of the present Council, there can be little doubt but that the ratepayers will have cause to regret it very deeply. In the first place, he would not be likely to work in harmony with his colleagues, nor is it to be supposed that the Council could readily bring themselves to accord a respect to his position, which is not invited or justified by the man. It is an impossible position for success. It is a ridiculous position to contemplate. From past experience of his performances as a self-constituted representative of the working man, it is not difficult to conceive how that gentleman would rejoice at such a theatre as the City Council in which to play the part of local politician, by prolix flounderings through oceans of words, which would serve only to sicken, obstruct, and disgust his compeers. In their own place, persons of this class may bo amusing. This, of course, is a matter of taste. But they cease to retain even that advantage when removed from their natural atmosphere, though carrying with them much that may prove a source of grave annoyance to those with whom they are brought into collision. It remains for those who have the power, to see that a substantial man, of good character and intelligence, shall represent them. Let no one be cheated by outward show; "An ass should like an ass be treated." Of the other two candidatos, as we have said previously, we do not know very much. Both gentlemen, however, bear reputations entitling them to the respect of their fellowcitizens, and that is at least an important point. The interests represented by the City Council are enormous; and, therefore, in the question of electing a member of the Council, due regard should be evinced for the serious responsibilities of the position. In Wellington and other large cities in New Zealand, the best men in the community are found taking an active part in municipal affairs, and appear to look upon the position of Councillor as one worthy the ambition of public spirited men. With many in the colonies, indeed, the Municipal Council has been the steppingstone to the great world of politics, and has furnished a by no means unimportant school of preparation to that end. Let us, therefore, be extremely jealous of sustaining the tono of our local institution, and seek to eliminate from, and defend them against, everything having a tendency to vulgarity, or calculated to bring them into ridicule and contempt.