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Hokitika Guardian, 5 April 1929, Page 4

Thk local body elections fall to be lield in the first and second weeks of next month. The electoral rolls have been prepared, and the preparations for the various polls are afoot. The iminici pal elections, covering; the Borough Council, and Borough representatives on tin* Hospital and Harbour Boards, fall to be held on the Ist .May. On that day, also, tin* Mayoral election will be held, and on this occasion a poll will be taken on the half-holiday issue. The County elections fall a week later, on the Sth May, and will include members for the County Council and Bower Board, as well as representatives on the Hospital and Harbour Boards. 1 here will thus be room for aspiring citizens to serve their localities, and it is expected that at least a sprinkling

of new bio d will be forthcoming. Local government is on very democratic lines, and the franchise is so enlarged that very few people, now need lie excluded from exercising a vote. While the law of the country is thus liberal in giving so many an o, portunity to participate in the government of local affairs, the people so concerned should in return give something more than passing attention to civic and local affairs, in order that in all things the considered opinion of the community might be expressed. Liiclv -ucli a liberal franchise as now prevails tlie local bodies are more than ever just what tlie people deserve. It is futile to complain about members or local bodies being lacking in con sideration or work for the public goad', for an immediate remedy is in tin* hands of the people to reform any o' the local bodies as may he doomed most desirable at such a time as is non approaching. Hut it is generally the omplaint that tho electors are indiffeient to their electoral responsibilities for all too often we read of the percentage of votes recorded being 'lar below the voting strength of the locality. This is something of a reproach which thell people themselves should see is removed. The very generous syst.cm of representation on local bodies makes way for a very free expression of the democratic will, and if the local bodies fail to do all that is expected of them, then the system is not blamnble, but the judgment or choice of the people. Mmv is the time for a general overhauling of the local bodies, and to permit that to come to pass, it is for the people to select candidates as wisely as possible, and for that purpose those willing to serve have also a responsibility °in that now is tho time to offer their services.