The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 1924. PIN PRICKS AND AFTER.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 December 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11th, 1924. PIN PRICKS AND AFTER.

Oi T H educational body has fallen foul of the Auditor-General in regard to some minor expenditure, and one of the members did not fail to express himself candidly on the matter. Inter alia he said “men are being driven off local bodies by this pin-prieking.” That there is foundation for this statement was made plain by the feeling remarks made by Or AYard at Tuesday’s meeting of the AA’estland County Council. Air AA'nixl was moved to speak on the subject as he felt, and no doubt he feels deeply. The gentleman in question enjoys the highest respect among his fellownien. He is a valued member of the public body, blit his remarks indicated that the present term is to be his last, because of the umbrage he feels at the treatment accorded by the Audit Department. The matter becomes a serious public question when such men of

the integrity and ability of Air Ward propose to go out of public life because of the intion of a (iorernnieut Department. The matter is serious enough for tin* Prime Minister to take notice of if .lie wishes local government to bo served by the best men available. Mr Ward did not mime bis words, which suggests be is greatly pained at the experience be lias unwittingly experienced. For a long term of years the Council followed a certain practice in regard to the payment of its members. The scab* was a reasonable one. In Air Ward's ease we believe 1 In* payment be received was £1 8s for each Council meeting be attended. Thai •small sum could not repay him for lb 1 * time lie gave to the public sorvite. A'ct alter many years of payment, the Audit Olliee called on Air Ward to repay the sum to the County Council, the Department holding he had received more than the law allowed! Air Ward refunded and has since acted without payment. It is of course a grievous wrong and an injustice has been put upon all the members of the Coim-il whose ease is similar to that of Air Ward’s. As he rightly said, the Department east a stigma upon him by declaring lie was taking money illegally, money wliieb other auditors bad pass'd without question. And the whole proceeding was most autocratic for the reason that there is no appeal from the dictum of the Audit Office. Air Ward was rpiite right in describing tin* position as a disgrace to the country. If public im'ii are being treated (la* ■•nine all over the country then the position is serious, for many of them will take Air Ward’s eoiir.se and refuse tu serve the public further and lay themselves open to the caprice of audit officials whose iiiterpre.tation of the statute seems to be at variance very greatly. There have been similar eases ill tile North Island, and the local body proposed to fight the- Department. I’robnhly it found how little it could do in the matter and has dropped the argument, the members preferring to go out of public life ju preference to enduring pin-prieks. The matter calls for attention by the Government. Tt is clear from the /expression of opinion in Canterbury and the North Island that local government is being, jeopardised by the action of the audit officials who are driving some of the best men out of public life. Tt i.s often difficult to get the best men into the public arena; but once there they should lie encouraged to stay, ami not lie driven out. Tt is to In* feared that Or AYard is not the only member who will take the emir.se of least resistance and as a. matter of fact tin* Council is in danger of losing some of its most experienced members. This is not for the betterment of local government or the good of the community. It is a matter which the farmers’ bodies, Progress l>eugue. Chamber of Commerce, etc., should take up, or great mischief will be done. Local bodies need experienced men at this stage, and it will be a loss very difficult to make good if men of tile mental and honorable calibre of Air Bernard AYard are driven from office by autocratic Government action which may not he reviewed.