THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1929. CIVIC PRIDE AND RULE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5393, 27 February 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1929. CIVIC PRIDE AND RULE.

Complaints have been voiced in Wellington, Auckland, and' Hamilton, to mention but a few of. the mote recent, that citizens do not take the interest in civic affairs that is expected of them, and therefore fail in their duty to their town. Two examples within the last jveek were the small number of people voting on the Hamilton water, loan a,nd, on the Auckland Power loan poll. That this, apathy is general throughout the country is beyond questioin; an apathy general, though, not only in New Zealand, but all over the world. Various reasons have been, advanced for it, but there is apparently only one cure —to do away with councils off citizens and appoint business, men to the head of affairs, to run a town as they would an ordinary business. In some cases, as in Dublin, Sydney, apd the United States of America, this has taken place on account of graft, corruption, and mismanagement, a state fortunately ,non-exis;tent in New Zealand affairs ; but the fac,t remains, however, that indifference to civic matters in this country- is alarming and to be deplored. Perhaps the only solution is the management of towns by business men. Dublin before the war was the dirtiest and worst-r,un city in Europe ; to-day it is a model for the world. Her citizens lost their voting rights through* apathy, but ip the long run they have benefited. Fascist Italy has introduced business management throughout the country. In all cases where towns have been r,un as a business concern unqualified success has resulted. Before long we may see the system introduced New Zealand.