THE PUTARURU PRESS. ’Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1929. COUNTY ELECTIONS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 283, 11 April 1929, Page 4

THE PUTARURU PRESS. ’Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1929. COUNTY ELECTIONS.

THOUGH only four weeks have to elapse before the county council elections take place not a great deal of interest seems to be displayed in them, especially in the Matamata county. This is .regrettable, for it is highly desirable that competent men should fill these positions. It is a common thing to hear ratepayers say that so and so is no good as a representative, but in so saying they are only reflecting on themselves, for a public body is the reflex of the people who elect it. Local body government is an important factor in our national life, and it calls for the best men that it is possible to get. It is recognised that the more able a man is the greater the sacrifice he makes for the common good, hut if the best is to be obtained then this sacrifice has to be made. There are two points to he kept in view, vis., the desire to keen down rates, and to get full value for the money expended. The amount of borrowing indulged in by local bodies is causing those who take an interest in the economic position of the Dominion some anxiety. And the Loans Board is doing good work in keeping in check any tendency to extravagance. Whilst willingness on the part of citizens to serve is laudable yet willingness is not always a guarantee of competency to carry it out, and there are as many “ misfits ” on local bodies as there are in other walks of life. The call is for men who are best qualified to fill these positions. In the Putararu riding of the Matamata county only one candidate is so far in sight. The sitting representative, Mr. E. J. Darby, has been, and unfortunately is still, a sick man, and we are informed on good authority that he does not intend to seek re-election. The names of several other gentlemen have been mentioned, but nothing definite is available. It is to be hoped that the lack of candidates does not mean apathy on the part of the ratepayers concerned.