PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 13 September 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Answees thereto, are invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district. Names of writers need not be Printed.

BOROUGH COUNCIL DELAYS.

In your report of Friday’s adjourned meeting of the Borough Council, a councillor urged as a reason for further delaying the carrying out of public works that “ the four Councillors away have a great interest in the matter.” That is likely enough true, but it is lamentable that private interest should be so much cared for to the sacrifice of public interests. An admission that the special interests of Councillors in the expenditure of public money' take precedence of the interests of the general body of ratepayers, may appear justifiable in the eyes of Councillors who apparently have not sufficient self-reliance to decide any question for themselves, and who can only vote to order. This admission should not be lost sight of by ratepayers, whose interests are so readily set aside for the special interests of particular Councillors. It shows that one of two courses should be adopted at any future elections. Either men of known independence, with ability to judge and act for themselves, should bo selected, requisitioned to stand, and determinedly returned by majorities, or the town should be wholly ruled by party. In this latter case the important point would be the election of Mayor. Ho should have some defined policy—progressive, standstill, or retrogressive. Whatever the decision on this point, there should be no mistake about returning just such Councillors as would be loyal to party —giving however sufficient leaven of opposition to prevent any tendency to abuse of power. It would be much better for the general interest if men of independent tendencies, and with only a moderate “ stake ” or private interest, could, be returned. In this case the public interests would be better cared for. —I am, &c., A Ratepayer.