THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDA, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1929. THE ELECTIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5410, 12 April 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDA, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 1929. THE ELECTIONS.

• . Now that the election days for the various local government bodies are rapidly approaching, it is time that due thought was being given to these matters by the electors. Previously apathy has been the rule rather than the exception, which is not quite fair to those men who are prepared to devote at least part of their time to the interests of the public. More important, it is not fair to the populace as a whole, for if through scanty voting a candidate ivho is not capable of holding the position slips in and makes a mess of thinks, it is more than probable that those who had power to vote and did not are chiefly to blame, for a big vote means a correct vote, a vote on a man’s merits. A small vote recorded may quite likely be just that of the candidates’ personal followers. That is why careful thought should be given beforehand, each candidate’s qualifications thoroughly analysed, and when a decision is arrived at a vote should be registered. If the people desire to keep the matter of local government in their own hands the only way they can do so is to do their duty at the polls. So many councils of all descriptions are being replaced by business managers, and with such outstanding success attendant upon each ease, that if public apathy towards voting continues the time may not be far distant when New Zealand will adopt this eminently satisfactory methods of dealing with local affairs.