Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1903. The Coming Election.

Manawatu Herald, 16 April 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 1903. The Coming Election.

In our advertising columns-the Re--turning Officer for the Borough announces the date when nominations for Mayor and Councillors must be made. Rumour has it that there is to be a contest for all offices and so the ratepayers should keep a close eye and ear on all that may doing or said. Wo have had our say about swopping horses at inconvenient times and do not now intend to reopen that question, but we do desire that any action taken to create a change in the representation on the Council should be done openly and publicly. We can quite understand why some ratepayers may be dis-satisfied-with certain councillors, and they are acting fully within their powers to secure a change, but all this should be done from a public, not personal, standpoint, and in a manner so open that an attacked party may have the opportunity of defending himself against the charges made. This is but an Englishman’s method of fighting and it undoubtedly is braver and fairer and is bound to appeal to all.

The business our Council is now called upon to manage is very much laager and more important than heretofore, and on it all should want to see our best men, who should be above petty aims, and whose election should be but a patent to confirm them in working their hardest to advance the town and district.

Differences of opinion need not alter friendship, and a good fight is advantageous to the public and all concerned, if the fight is conducted in the sight and hearing of all. Those who have not previously taken part in public life, but proposed to do so now should give their reasons in the good old-fashioned way by holding public meetings, and then, if the comments or statements made need answering the last councillors could reply at a future meeting. The election is for two years, and. under the Act it is possible for a wholly new lot of men to be returned as councillors, which would be a very awkward position considering the expenditure authorised under the loan. It is a well-known fact that a battle goes to the strong and vigorous and if an attempt should be determinedly made on the seats at present occupied it will entail a little more energy on the part of the holders than that of merely relying on their past services. Gratitude is for favours expected, not past.