The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle" Helensville, Thursday, September 2. ELECTORS AND ELECTIONS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 2 September 1920, Page 2

The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO With which is incorporated "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle" Helensville, Thursday, September 2. ELECTORS AND ELECTIONS.

IN a few weeks time —September the 15th to be exact —the Town Board elections will be held. As a rule these elections are not looked forward to with any great interest. This is due, to a great extent, to the fact that the position of Commissioner is such a thankless one. Election to a Board, at once places the candidate in a position where he becomes the target for shafts of satire and adverse criticism,often ill-considered and undeserved. With little revenue to handle, concrete improvements are expected from him, and if they are not forthcoming no one is satisfied. Few indeed, therefore, look for the office, and it is hard to get anyone to stand in view of these facts. Only with the support of the public can anything be achieved, and if the support is withheld, little can be accomplished. It is as well then for everyone to realise that he, or she, has, and ought to exercise, a personal influence in the elections, thus helping to create that force for which our race has become renowned —public spirit. Unfortunately as far as Helensvine is concerned, public spirit in regard to Town Board elections has been conspicuous by its absence for the last few years. This is not as it sh.ou.ld be in any town worthy of being called progressive, and now that period of reconstruction is with us, every elector should realise his responsibility and duty to his town and exercise his vote. While those who have the time and ability, and there are many, should hold it 'a high honour to serve, and should come forward

and offer their services. A spirited contest, with a sufficient number of candidates to enable voters to make a better selection is preferable to just the bare number (or one or two over) of candidates standing. All over twenty-one, and of at least three months residence in the town, have a vote.