PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 4

PUBLIC OPINION

-DOWN WITH THE DICTATORS! (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.”) Sir. —I have' rend tile letter of “Fairplny” in your columns. Let me say that I admire the name he has chosen—fairplay by all means. It is right that the dictation of the Civic League and others, should be put a stop to at once. What right has this league to choose its own candidate ? By doing so it may influence other people and such dictation cannot be allowed. I go further and ask what right has anybody to choose a candidate? The action of tbe Civic League, of Mr John Hutchison, the city councillors and others, who have selected Mr Norwood as a candidate, is all dictation, as reprehensible as the evil action of the Civic League, I maintain that no one should be allowed to choose or select a Mayoral candidate, but the Mayor himself, aud, even then, lam not sure it is fully right. However I will concede this much, that the Mayor and councillors should be allowed to select themselves on condition that everybody else is excluded. See how this would simplify matters. The Civic League would he shut out. So would Messrs H. D Burnett, J. Hutchison and Company. There would be no more nagging, no more writing or talk. Everything would be peaceful as the grave. I know the law requires at present that candidates must be nominated before an election takes place. It is a had law—nominating is choosing—this sets the seal of legality on the crime of dictation. Is it not an interference with the secrecy of the ballot? It is time this law was amended, and the action of nominating or choosing, a candidate made a punishable offence. Down with the dictators, I say.—l am, etc. BONNIE PLAY.