The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1913. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 94, 28 April 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. MONDAY, APRIL 28, 1913. THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

The polling for Mayor and Councillors on Wednesday next must be considered an event of no little importance in the municipal life of the Dominion, for the results of such elections have bearing on the progress and advancement of the centres in which they occur. The form of civic government that holds in our country is peculiarly democratic, and that it conforms to the general wishes of the people can be taken for granted, seeing that its principles are not being assailed on any very material point, with the exception, perhaps, of the desire that has been expressed in some quarters to know the reason why the Mayor is not elected for the same period as councillors. As is well known, the chief citizen is elected annually, while councillors are appointed for a term of two years. On the face of it, this may appear to some to be an anomaly, but the democratic principle was, all through, probably uppermost in the minds of the framers of the measure, and when one considers the position from all standpoints, it is just as well that the head of the Council, from whom a policy is expected, may be replaced at the end of twelve months if he has not shown that grip of his duties which might reasonably be expected of him, fir, on the other hand, has formulated a policy which does not meet with the approval of the electors. However, it seldom happens that the Mayor of a town is deposed at the half-way house in the course set for the Council, providing he has made anything like a showing in his policy work. Public opinion is generally leavened with consideration and fair play, and there is always the desire to give the man in office every opportunity to make good. When, however, on the election of a new Council, there is still general dissatisfaction with his work, the proper opportunity arrives to make a change. But, regarding the whole matter of local government elections, there is, perhaps, need for reform by making provision for continuity in regard to special work that had been commenced by preceding councils. A|

very good suggestion emanated from a South Island municipality a year or so ago, when a resolution was passed expressing the view that a change was desirable in the election to make it somewhat on the lines of that for an ordinary board of directors wherein a quota of the representative retire by rotation. It may happen, as in the case where extraordinary interest is displayed by the electors, and the nomination of candidates is heavy, that the whole of the retiring councillors may be defeated, and that the new team may be quite untrained, or have, at the best, only a superficial knowledge of municipal work. This case is, of course, very improbable, but is quite within the bounds of possibility. At the same time, we admit a liking for the proposal, and see no reason why it should not be introduced into the machinery of the law governing local government. "With regard to the position in Stratford, Mr W. P. Kirkwood is again returned unopposed, as Mayor, and will occupy the chair for the second year in succefj,sion. The decision of tho electors in returning Mr Kirkwood was a

very proper one. His work in the past is recognised to have been conducted conscientiously, and, notwithstanding the non-success of the recent loan proposals over which he Spent so much time and trouble, Mr Kirkwood is not dismayed, and will, we feel sure, carry out his duties as heartily and with as good grace as marked his previous administration. Turning to the election of councillors, it will be noted that of the eleven candidates offering themselves for election, seven occupied seats on the old Council, and as there are only nine vacancies to be filled, two of the eleven must be rejected. The work of tho old representatives who now seek re-election is well enough known, and electors will have probably made up their minds with regard to their claims. It is only fair to say that, as a whole, the Council did more than average good work, even if a fair share of mistakes were also made. It must be remembered that a groat number of extraordinary meetings had to he attended, and no councillor can be singled out as having shirked his responsibility, and the return of all the old councillors is not at all unlikely. It rests, therefore, with the four new claimants for honours to establish their case for election, and the suggestion that these gentlemen should combine and give short addresses to the electors to-morrow night is worthy of their consideration. We should certainly like to seo Mr Richards among the successful candidates, as tho kefen interest which ho has always shown in any movement pertaining to the \yplfare of the town indicates that he would be an acquisition i to . the Council. The total number of electors on the roll is 1643, and we hope that on Wednesday the apathy so often unfortunately displayed in these matters will give way to a display of real live-interest. In conclusion, it may be pointed out that all persons enrolled in respect to a residential qualification who do not l vote at the forthcoming election will be struck off the roll when it next comes to be purged.