Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1905. APATHETIC ELECTORS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3501, 25 March 1905, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1905. APATHETIC ELECTORS.

Citizens of Foxton will shortly have placed before them the periodically recurring task of selecting nine councillors to represent them in the management of borough affairs for another two years. At the same time they will be called upon to determine who shall occupy the mayoral chair for the next twelve months. So far we have heard no mention of probable candidates, Judged by the lack of interest displayed in local politics this town might have served as a fitting scene for the composition of Gray's " Elegybut we tfiist there is still a spark Of life left somewhere in the Community. It is not in any spirit of carping criticism that we would approach this subject, and wobld urge upon the electors the need for movement hi the direction of progress. Foxton has long since thrown Off its municipal swaddliilg ; clothei--alnd a caustically critical visitor might add that it had now attained to the period of the sere and yellow leaf, from appearances ; but this, we trust-, is hot yet-—and shoiild nOw give idnie > sign of virility-. A lively interest in matters affecting the welfare of the town and district would betoken better things. Subjects for such concern ace not wanting, and possibly if the people would indicate clearly some of the things on Which they desire action taken their representatives at the council table would do something; As it is they are apparently riot called uport to put forth any special efforts, and the usual result is seen—a community sleeps serenely on in a wellworn rut and makes no effort to grasp the benefits which an advantage of position has placed within reach of the town. It is of course useless to look regretfully back upon lost opportunities; our duty to-day is to see what can be done to improve the present situation. A few days ago we advocated the establishment ot a Ratepayers’ Association ; the need for some such organisation is very apparent. The condition of Foxton today is such as would not be tolerated, w« are certain, in a bush township of half a dozen years growth in any other part of the colony. Waterless, practically unlighted, without drainage, the inhabitants of this important centre must surely be watched over by some good fairy that they have not long ago been swept out of existence by fire or pestilence. There may be those who will consider this an exaggerated view of the matter; but we ask them; Is it compatible with the requirements of civilized life in this twentieth century that people should be called upon to live in the midst of such possibilities of danger and no steps be taken to secure an improvement ? We do not think many will care to reply in the affirmative. It is a proud boast of the people that the climate of Foxton is an unusually healthy one. And they straightway endeavour to discount that grand possession by Hying without the two first great necessities for the maintenance of good health—water and drainage. The Borough Council cannot accomplish miracles; but, directed and supported by public opinion it could do much for the betterment of the town. So far at the personnel of the council is concerned we are not in a position to speak, but experience generally conduces to the view that the electors themselves are to blame if their representatives are slow to act, and Foxton is presumably no exception to the rule. If, having been given a clearly defined lead, the men elected to responsible positions in the management of the municipality fail, then it is time to think oi replacing them with others more to the liking of the electors. For the present we would urge upon the municipal electors of Foxten the need for an awakening out of their apathy, so that it may not be said of them, as was once observed of another community, that “ nothing but dynamite will shift 'em! ’* Less than dynamite will have effect, we feel sure, but it will still have to be a pretty strong mixture.