The Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY. AUGUST 25, 1885. THE RESULTS OF EXPERIENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume X, Issue 73, 25 August 1885, Page 2

Manawatu Standard. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. TUESDAY. AUGUST 25, 1885. THE RESULTS OF EXPERIENCE.

It is very plain that the ratepayers as a body earnestly desire a change m the personel of more than one of their present representatives m the Borough Council, and when opportunity offers they will most probably make a selection from amongst those who formerly took part m the administration of municipal affairs. Evidences are not wanting to prove how extremely dissatisfied a large section of the community is with more than one of the present Council, whose recent conduct is now criticised adversely even by their own former adherents. What is most objected to is the existence of a party or clique m the Council, who have sought to carry out their own schemes without regard to the well-being of the ratepayers. In former days, when the administration of Borough affairs was characterised by such marked unanimity and progressiveness, there was no division of feeling or interests but the whole body worked harmoniously for the public weal. Several of the present Crs sincerely deplore the spirit of dissention that has of late taken the place of the unity once and for so long a time the most pleasing feature m connection with Borough affairs. In those days there was a total absence of the factious opposition, petty disagreements, enmity and strife, that have been of late more particularly imported into the proceedings. For years the Council was a united body, each assisting to the best ot his ability m furthering the interests of the Borough. The meetings were not then the scene of discord, reciimination, and personal antagonism that for some time past have been the prevailing features, and which have tended so seriously to retard progress, cause disunion, and foment party feeling both within and outside the Chambers. When there are parties and cliques m existence, it is impossible for that unanimity and harmony so essential to beneficial government to prevail. The ratepayers have, however, been closely scrutinizing the actions of a certain clique m the Council which would seek to pose before the public as particularly conscientous and incorruptible, straightforward and highminded, and absolutely beyond suspicion or reproach. But nevertheless and notwithstanding, somehow these protestations are. not received with implicit confidence. Straws best show how the wind blows, and by one after another, the clique m question has now entirely forfeited whatever claims upon sy mpathjLfiE. public confidencT^*W»cesought to I establish for itself. The only feeling now is a desire to return to the regime of former days, when cliques and parties m the Council were unknown, when adverse conflicting interests did not assert themselves, when there was no clashing or jarring of opinions, but when all worked zealously iogether for the general good and the welfare of the community. The ratepayers are candid enough to admit that m returning a certain element of discord into the Council, with the object, as they were led to believe, of closely looking after the interests of the burgesses, and ensuring the efficient and economical administration of public affairs, they have committed a grevious error of judgment, the effects of which will probably be experienced for some considerable time to come. Those who were expected to purge the Council of alleged gross . iniqtitttes and imaginary wrongs, and to initiate certain much-needed reforms, have only succeeded m keeping the members at loggerheads, m thwarting several proposals calculated to benefit the town m converting the Chamber into a scene of toofrequent discordant wrangling, and m acting m the aggressive on every possible occasion. The Mayor's ruling has been times and again ignored and set at defiance, altercation, strife and contention have been the pre vailing features, with the natural and inevitable consequence that public business has materially suffered. The quasi-reformers and would-be agitators have proved their insincerity by their actions, and have now fallen from the position which they once, but for a very brief period, occupied m the public estimation, and have come to be recognised as a source of turmoil, and an element of obstruction which must be got rid ot at the earliest possible opportunity We are quite satisfied that the experience gained will be beneficial, and we do not think the ratepayers will be so blind to their own interests as to elect men to represent them m the Borough Council of whose bona fides, ability, and integrity they are not confidently assured. For nearly a year the business of the Borough Council has been retarded and obstructed by the tactics of the party now so much m disfavour with the public. Few but have noticed with disgust the bickering, recrimination, and squabbling the discordant controversy, and the disunion so painfully apparent where at one time peace, harmony, and unanimity, were the distinguishing and characteristic elements. One premise is so palpable that it admits of no argument, viz., that where strife and disunion abound there can be no progress What is now required is to banish the elements of discord for ever, and to renew the erstwhile conditions so favourable to the furtherance of public interests, viz., •

an undivided Council, with the one object m view, of co-operating with zeal and singleness of purpose m the accomplishment of the requirements of the Corough. We trust never again to see the obstructionist clement m the ascendant, and we are convinced that the voiceof public opinion w.ll universally and unreservedly condemn any future alliance that might hereafter be sought to be initiated for such disreputable ends as the furthering of private objects, gratifying personal vindictiveness, or promoting individual interests without regard to the welfare of the community. The strong disapproval expressed by the ratepayers with regard to the actions of a party m the Council, only requires an opportunity to enable it to be given practical expression to. Let the burgesses carefully reflect before again entrusting their interests inconsiderately or indiscriminately to candidates who can otter no reliable guarantee that they are deserving of confidence, ' In conclusion we would urge the ratepayers not to allow themselves to be led astray by I the plausible representations of individuals who can produce no satisfactory record of former experience or ability to discharge their municipal obligations faithfully and effi- { ciently and with zeal, integrity, and i independence.