CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3939, 7 May 1929, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor). Sir, —My attention having been drawn to the remarks passed by Labour’s sole representative on the Borough Council, when returning thanks for re-election, in Avhie.h he took exception to criticism of the past Council and its faults. Well, Sir, as I have been practically the 'sole critic through your esteemed columns, I think I have the right to pass a few comlments and further criticism. But before doing so I wo ■ ukl draw that Councillor’s attention to the fact that healthy constructive criticism denotes intelligence, and is also a means and a necessity to ensure sound government on even a small local body. Is it not a fact that criticism is an art as well as a necessity. I know that some people objeict; to it, but to fear it shows a lack of knowledge of the subject, and merely places a. person in the category of a chair-Avanner. Fancy sitting at a meeting and merely saying “yea” or “nay,” as the ease may be. Tell me, Sir, Avliat public body than can exist without it, for is not criticism a form of debate, and without it lioav could we progress, as it is also an ex-, change o£ opinions, that is usually to be found where there is progressive thought. When criticising an action l always endeavour to supply the remedy, but even then some fail to grasp the fact, but in any case, its a weapon rightly used, and backed by an active and intelligent mind that I refuse to discard. In newspaper life is not the leading artfjfe a prerogative of the Editor to criticize or defend as the subject warrants. One lias only to point to tha long list of lost opportunities as far as Foxton is concerned, largely due. to the lack of powerful criticism. Wjherc we find healthy criticism of a constructive nature, avo find intelligent minds. Lack of it discloses want of intelligence on the part of those. avlio fear it, and why fear it if the cause is just? Personally, I have felt the Jasli of criticism publicly and otherwise, .perhaps more than most in this community, to some of which has been a benefit to me in various Avays, and even the Labour Councillor must acknowledge that each is entitled to his opinions as well as the right to express them. In any past criticism, I did not mention the lack of a public convenience, the lack of power for the ranger to sue the oHvners of stock that make a parade ground of the Union Street footpath at night. It would not be so bad if the Council put a man. on to clean up flic mess in the morning. Then there is the lai‘k of a decent entry into our cemetery. Why is there no road into it and, further, AAiliy is there no streams of water .running continuous doAv-n the water channels of Main Street, to wash away the filth that is lying there all the week, and why are not the Borough drains cleaned by labour contract, finding work for unemployed. Sir, T could find enough “vvhys” to fill a column. But with these lines I Avill. conclude: Who can undaunted brave the critics rage, Or note unmoA'ed bis mention in the public page; Parade his errors in the public «ye, And Mother Grundy’s rage defy? 'Some trees bear fruit, some are only Avood —see (lie point? Yours etc., E. G. MARTIN.