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Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1925, Page 2

The division of parties in the City Conn il at Christ church is not good fur the capital of Canterbury. In the election of tho Deputy-Mayor the other evening, party warfare was declared,

and from the heated remarks which followed, it is evident that a strained condition of affairs in civic management will last right through the two rears’ term. On the face of it the self-appointed Citizens Association of Christchurch appears to he at the bottom of the trouble. The executive of that body muddled matters in allowing Messrs Elesher and Jieanlaiul both to~go to the poll. The division of the party votes between these two headstrong candidates. let I.ahor in. mibor fought fairly, and in the end deserved its win. Also, a Labor candidate topped the poll for the Council seats. It was a substantial win. and entirely meritorious. The gentleman in question is a Member o! Parliament who has made his mark, and is popular undoubtedly, in Christchurch. On the face of it he is not only eligible, but .should be worthy also of holding the position of Deputy-Mayor. The Council being composed of a majoiitv of Citizens candidates vetoed his appointment, and appointed one of their own number to the position. And it was done in a spirit of antagonism, and with the bitter determination of establishing a precedent. Me have no hesitation in saying as one viewing the position front the outside, that the re ;

joction of Mr Sullivnii was not worthy of a Council representative of a city such as Christchurch. We do not know that we could put the matter stronger. At the same time we do lint approve the decision of the Mayor that ho is going to ignore the decision of tho Council in the matter. That decision was made for better or for worse, and Mr Archer should accept the will of the majority. Two wrongs do not make a right, and Mr Archer is beginning very badly if he starts hv ignoring a resolution of the majority of the Council he is supposed to preside over. The Council will lose respect for the Mayor if its decisions are ignored by the Chairman, and the last state of the City Council as an institution worthy of the town will lie worse than it Ill's been ever before. Mr AV'dier from his calling, might Ik* expected to -how more charity and loss of the bellicose spirit. It would become his cloth better. and it would he nine his josition as Mayor better also. If the City Council is to he ot value to the community. it must he a body of unity working together in amity and meeting one another's objections not with blow for blow. Inn in t In* light spirit of toleration.