The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7th, 1923 CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES..

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7th, 1923 CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES..

Tut municipal elections tall to -he held next month and circumstances hero aie such that it is as well to remind the latepayers in advance of their civic responsibilities. The facilities and conveniences of a municipality are in the hands of the local Council, and the creation of the Council is a matter for the citizens. The piimary responsibility lor the good, bad or indifferent condition of tie streets, footways. [.arks, etc., are thus the responsibility of the IKiople who enjoy the municipal franchise. Most folk like to have a vote at their disposal and having acquired that privilege it is for them to exercise it with a. degree ol wisdom which will ensure the best results for -the advancement of the place. No elector should enter a polling booth without the desire to east his vote in a way which will do the greatest good for the (greatest number. ‘That (is the first principle of democratic action, and at all elections that desire should be the dominating factor with the elector. In municipal elections, following the principle laid down here, the Council lieconns exactly what the people make it. It is their choice, and for the time lining the choice lias to be accepted and often endured- with the Lust grace possible. With the time for re-election at hand the burgesses should be asking themselves bow far the retiring Council has satisfied their requirements, and to what extent the “p” lias been put inlo progress to ensure. that steady advancement which la. town with thriving opporunities should he enjoying. It one takes the trouble to pc. ambulate the streets and footways, it is a matter for regret to sav that the town will he found in a very I h,read bare condition. Perusing the proceedings of the Council meeting by meeting the average reader will find a difficulty in recalling any sustained effort to promote tile civic welfare. In point of fact the present Council lias fallen short of expectations. It is not necessary to place any blame on t,lie members individually. They are the choice of the people and acted as they thought right, hut the sum of their administration is rather disappointing. Perhaps it was because the members lacked enthusiastic leadership, or the moulding of a policy to ensure sound advancement. There was. however, to the credit of the Council the fact that it screwed its courage up to sticking point in regard to the loan proposals, but as a body it was not unanimous and certainly not enthusiastic. The chief opposition on polling day came from within its own ranks. The Council has permitted its affairs to drill on complacently. The ideas of economical management have been confined to a negative kind of administration. To sit still and do nothing with the idea of saving money. Tint this passivity has resulted in the roads and streets in particular drifting, from bad j.o worse, till at this moment, all the money saved (?) by non-attention will be more than expended by the Council disposed to set the town in order. The [ Council has failed signally as a board of works, for the works have been sadly neglected. The state of the streets is depressing. They are worn out. n"d the side ways are disreputedly overgrown. | The town is losing its smart nppear- ’ mice, and there is occasion lor reform measures which will bring matters to a more creditable condition. AAell. the civic responsibility to readjust matteis is with the ratepayers themselves. I; they are satisfied with the drift and the falling hack of the town they will re-elect the Council mi ’-p posed. H they think a change is necessary they will at least seek to infuse now blood into the Council. What is wanted is a sane, progressive policy to retrieve tlie position. Not extravagant er lavish expenditure, but by a personal interest of members see that pressing works are attended to. and the town not further neglected through lack ol enthusiasm on the part of those charged with its municipal advancement.