MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2836, 20 January 1925, Page 3

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS.

Sir, —With your permission I would like to ally myself until “Progress” in a few supplementary remarks regarding the stagnation of local palitics. As a preliminary, I would take the public’s mind back to the comic opera that was staged in the Town Hall just, previous to last Council election, by the present Mayor, and his stage assistants, at which he beseeched the electors to vote for him, at which he unfolded the great promise of progress and prosperity, which he

alone was capable to carry out, and above all things, to help him the fiery elements that constituted the opposition. How the electors of this town were so easily gulled into accepting his promise of ever carrying out that manifesto, has always been a puzzle to your humble, but the worst feature of that election was the support given to the most reactionary Mayor that has ever occupied the office, by that party who always preach progress —the Labour Party. Here we have numbers enough to sweep the poll, yet for some reason or other they allow a couple of extremists to dictate to them tie demerits or otherwise, of soraie particular candidate, who has seen fit to cross swords with them, and to no longer tolerate their overbearing stupidity. Are the working people, the progressive people and those with advanced ideals, going to repeat the same performance at next election? I think not. If you vote reactional you must expect stagnation. You get what you vote for. Let me, Mr Elector, remind you again of the political poultice that his Worship prescribed for your political ills and then, contrast, for instance, his opposition to the proposed butter factory. Those are only items, but they serve to show what valueless cheques were issued to the electors last election. I have heard his Worship play his favourite hymn “Water and Drainage.,” but is it not a fact that the Health Department were the movers? I am quite aware that the present Council contains some duds and I would also contrast the attendance at meetings of the present Council to the previous Council, where there was always a full meeting, which leads me to think that some of those seats are kept illegally empty. Why? And whyshould Councillors accept office and then never attend. But, Mr Elector, you put them there! That there will be new blood offering next election is sure. Are you going to support fhem, Mr Elector, or are you going to a.U ow yourselves to again swallow thff dope that was handed out by the present Mayor and his followers? Just pause and think for yourselves this time. In conclusion, I would like “Progress” to know that what little assistance I can give, will be given, but it is the great body of the electors who must give their help by active support that will bring about a change in the management of civic affairs in Foxton, and progress can only be brought about, not by manifestoes, that may look pretty for the purpose, but by tipping out that body of men who ranged themselves alongside, and under the banner of the most skinflint policy Mayor who has ever stepped in the way of progress in Foxton. —Thanking you, sir, • E. G. MARTIN.