THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2286, 30 July 1881, Page 3

THE GLOBE. SATURDAY, JULY 30, 1881. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Though it may seem somewhat prpmature to refer now to the forthcoming Municipal Elections in September, yet really it is not so. This arises from the fact that the Christchurch people, perhaps more than thoso resident in any other part of the colony, are apathetic respecting anything affecting the general interests. Whether it is that the prosperous state of the community induces this lethargy we know not, but the fact remains that weeks and weeks of labour are required to rouse the Christchurch people to take any active part in public affairs. Therefore it is that we broach the subject of the approaching Mayoral and Municipal Elections thus early, so as to ensure, if possible, a spirited response. Last year, with respect to the Mayoral election, the ratepayers were limited in their choice to two, and it is not saying too much when we remark that a thoroughly good third man would have distanced both the candidates. As we have before pointed out, the importance, as a city, of Christchurch is such now that it is a positive disgrace to the intelligence of our community that the highest office the citizens can bestow should, in a sense, go begging. There are now in our midst numbers of men who, alike from position, intellect, business aptitude, and ability to spare the time, are admirably fitted to occupy the position of Mayor. But they don't come, and tho consequence is that a position which should he looked up to as a laudable object of ambition is acceptod grudgingly, and as if it were a martyrdom. "We are quite prepared to hear all the old stock arguments about the thanklessness of public life, of the sacrifices that have to be made, and probably odium incurred. This may or may not be true. But we say this, that it is the duty of any man who has the ability and the leisure to serve his fellow-citizens to come forward and take his share of the work. He has made his all in the city, and the citizens have a fair claim upon him in return for such services as he can render. If we allow the sordid and money-grubbing spirit to predominate which seems to actuate some of our leading men, then nothing in the world save making money ia worthy of ambition. Our senators, our philanthropists, all will have to forego their wish <md desire to serve their fellowcolonists and join in tho worship of the golden calf of Mammon. We have, howover, a much higher opinion of our leading citizens as a body than this, and we would desire to call their attention to this fact, that by their coming forward and taking part in the work of the city a far higher standard will be set up by which candidates both for the Mayoralty and Council will be judged. It is exceedingly fortunate that the ratepayers have succeeded in obtaining so good a Council as they now possess. That it is so, in some degree at least, is due to the endeavours of tho local journals to impress upon the businoss and intellectual men of the community their duty. And it is only by care in the selection that the standard to which the Council has now reached will be preserved. With rogard to the Mayoralty, there is an absurd notion abroad that it would be unfair to nominate anyone outside tho present Council, because they have worked for twelve months. So far as we can see there is not the slightest objection to any citizen, whether in tho Council or not, being olectod Mayor. Indeed, to our mind, there are many

cogent reasons why an outsider would be best. One of these, wo may point out, is that he would go into office unfettered by cliques and prejudices such as are sure to arise in any aesombly like the City Council. We do not use the words " cliques" in any sonse calculated to reflect upon the present members, but it is a well-known fact that such littlo caucuses do exist. As to the necessity of the Mayor having undergone the ordeal of sitting at the Council tablo for a year that can easily bo dispensed with. The business coming before the Couneil is of that nature as to be easily grasped by any average mind, and the subjects discussed are not so abstrnso as to mako previous acquaintance with municipal detail a sine qua non. Wo do hope that the sort of don't-careish-ness which pervades the community on this question will be dispersed, and that in its place will get up a healtby and vigorous tone of public opinion on municipal mattors. Not alone will it : probably induce desirable candidates to come forward, but it will spur the representatives of the citizons alroady elected on to do their duty even more zealously than before. If public men find that their actions are carofully criticised and watched by thoir constituents, they will act with vigour and zeal in their interests. On tho other hand, if the represented look on with indifference the same feeling possesses the members, and the work, if done at all, is done perfunctorily. We ttust, therefore, to see some really good men come forward to contest the Mayoral chair this year. Given a man of position and intellect, fitted also in other ways for the post, and h ; s election is certain.