Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1906. LOCAL AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3617, 3 February 1906, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1906. LOCAL AFFAIRS.

“The Journal,” a local typewritten production, devotes some space to a reference to Municipal matters. Without comment, we reprint same :—“ It cannot be disguised that local Municipal matters are in a most unsatisfactory condition. If volumes of eloquence have been expended on water schemes, gas-works, and other desirable conveniences, we have gained nothing—except a vast admiration for the talking powers of our “ City Fathers” ; nowers that would be very useful elsewhere, say in a Debating Society. It is not that our Councillors lack fertility of brain. Rather are their craniums too prolific ; for no sooner is one dazzling scheme evolved than it is immediately overwhelmed in one of greater brilliance, which in turn is engulfed in the superior glory of a third. We are frequently launched away on the wings of beautiful phantasy, only to be brought back in boomerangfashion to the starting point. The net result to the community of this rabbit-like fecundity of ideas, other than an aggreeable exaltation of the imaginative faculties, is briefly, nothing. Its effect on the Council, however, is very marked. Exhausted by their mental labours, they have now lapsed into a state of quiescence, which promises to become as permanent as the sleep of Rip Van Winkle. The Chamber of Commerce, which it was thought would prove a good second to the Council, has a similar disappointing record, though in justice to them it should be said that their efforts at melioration have been frustrated in nearly every case by the State Departments from whom aid was solicited. —Government bureaux have queer methods of letting-writing ! ‘ The matter will be looked into. ’ ‘ The matter will receive consideration,’ is the usual reply—not omitting the inevitable

‘ I have the honour to be etc.’ that graces all official correspondence, —which, in plain English, means, ‘ We won’t do anything for you.’ What with ineptitude at home and obstinacy abroad local aifairs are in a bad way, and we can see but little hope of their improving in the near future. It is true the Premier is coming, but—well, the editor had better not say anything more, else he may infringe one of the cardinal rules of the Society, besides incurring the terrible wrath of the August Arbiter of. New Zealand’s destiny!” Such is how “The Journal ’ ’ deliberates on local affairs !