PUBLIC DUTY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 432, 20 January 1912, Page 4

PUBLIC DUTY.

The number of veins recorded at the poll in connection with the loan proposal for lighting the town i'ndil eaten a regrettable lack of interest on tlic part of ratepayers in mattres of the most vital intercut to the borough. Approximately forty per cent, of the ratepayers on the roll took the troublo to record their votes. Allowing for absentees this leaves much too great a margin of indifferent voters, who are content to look on and allow other people to work in the intep'sts of the community. Without considering tho

merits of the respective issues governed by the poll. it. mint be apparent to all that; a larger and more rep.rcaentat.ive vote would have been more satisfactory from the public point of view. In promoting schemes for the general welfare, and planning town improvements in a new and growing centre the responsibility thrown upon the councillors is great, and any call upon Ihe people for an expression of opinion upon an import,ant proposal should be answered in no uncertain manner. The very common practice of resting tho whole responsibility upon the few possessed of sufficient public spirit to devote time and talent to t'.ie conduct, of public business is to be deplored, and wo trust To Kuiti residents will quickly awaken to a realisation of their responsibilities in this respect.