Manawatu Herald. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29, 1898. The Mayoral Election.

Manawatu Herald, 29 November 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29, 1898. The Mayoral Election.

It is good that some interest is shown by the Burgesses in the election of the chief officer of the Borough. An election enables questions of public interest to bo brought well under notice, and as we have agreed that the majority shal rule, an election enables which is the majority to be settled beyond doubt. We cannot see that there is any necessity for the result to occasion any strong feeling, the public have a choice of two candidates and they have merely to select one most in accord with their views. If the Burgesses desire to see the town progress then they should select that Councillor who has, meeting after meeting, been ready to do his best to push the business along ; it they desire stagnation they cannot do better than elect the Councillor who has not as yet written one resolution at a Council meeting. Men must be judged by wbat they have done and not by what they purpose doing. For our own part we cannot see where a doubt comes in in making a selection. Burgesses will remember that it is the Mayor's duty to lead the Council, he ought therefore to be well posted up in the business of the Council, and should have all his proposals well thought out, and his resolutions ready written to lay before the members, and it is few men who can do this without a previous training as a moving energetic member. Except a member of a public body identifies himself thoroughly with its working during his term of office, it will be of no use his believing that he can suddenly blossom into an energetic Chief officer ; a man before the mast cannot be called upon, at a moments notice, to take command of a ship. Practise in minor duties is necessary to success in all walks of life, public and private. It is for the people to judge, the ratepayers will have to pay th% same amount in rates i Whether they get good value for their mpneV oT nbt,Jand if they indolently believe the question of its administration is of little moment, they will be the chief sufferers. We have no hesitation in asserting that a much better manner of administration might have heen given us in the past, and should be in the future if the town is to reap anything like the I'enefit it should for the rates raised. We are dropping very much indeed behind the times, arising chiefly we think from an incorrect idea of the true value of money and time.