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Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1930, Page 4

Quite a new phase of local body government is revealed by the condition ol municipal affairs in Christchurch. At the last municipal elections the Labour party with the assistance of “independent’’ members obtained the ascendency in the civic management. As a result of the recent by-election, that ascendency has been lost. Making a virtue of necessity the Labour party now proposes to give up its ruling power exercised on committees, and to make way -for the Citizens’ party to take control. It appears to us that tnis is not the right spirit in which municipal management should be dire'ted, It is surely wrong to introduce national politics into civic affairs but that is exactly what has happened in Christchurch. There is no occasion why borough matters should be controlled and directed along lines peculiar to tbe parliamentary bent of tlie representatives. The local issues are entirely different from the national interests, and those so immersed in national politics that they cannot shake I off their prejudices in the civic chamber, should not he returned to municipal power. On that account it is perhaps well that a gentleman occupying a seat in Parliament already, was defeated. His place will he taken by nn every day business man who should make an excellent substitute in assisting to manage llie city affairs. The position calls for business ability rather than noisy oratory directed to impress the so-called /democracy. Tn civic affairs, it is tho business community which lias to find the moans to maintain the functions of the local council, and the expenditure of that money should lie on rational line for sane ml minis! ration, rather than seeking to promote fantastic ideas in social works which are not founded on business linos. Till hour has recognised the verdict of tho voters in the present instance, and with very good grace proposes to give up its powers of control. Our point is that this should not be. Tn municipal work the aim and endeavour of tbe Council should be for the common weal within the limits

of its rcyurces. The practice In Christchurch appears to he to give extended powers to committees which in the past have been controlled by Labour votes. Actually it should be within the power of the open Council to -control its committees, so that the personnel of the latter should not have the importance Labour has given it. It appears to us that the practice there has outgrown the intention of the municipal enactment. .Something similar did happen in Sydney where Labour had control and had to he removed by Act of Parliament. There is no suggestion the same thing was happening in Christchurch, yet it is clear party feeling and learning were very noticeable, and that is exactly what should not occur in the administration of local affairs for the city’s good.