The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1912. TO-DAY'S CONTEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 252, 24 April 1912, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1912. TO-DAY'S CONTEST.

A little gentle antagonism is always a stimulant in public matters, and the fact that the Mayoral election to-day is to be disputed by two estimable citizens will invest it with addit?onal interest. There is nothing like a oontest of this sort to stir the ratepayers to an appreciation of the fact that municipal politics are quite as important as general politics. The contest is being fought im an admirably clean and healthy spirit, and there should be a heavy poll, if only the electors will realise that something more than a personal responsibility rests with them to-day. The questions that are most immediately at stake are, of course, the completion of a Greater New Plymouth, and the inauguration of an efficient tramway system for the town. The one is really a corollary to the other, and while both candidates for the Mayoral chair are favorably disposed towards both schemes, it devolves upon the citizens to say whether the present Mayor or Mr. Medley is better qualified to put them into active operation. Mr. Browne, during his civic administration, has brought Vogeltown, Frankley Road and Westown into line. But he cannot be commended for the manner in which he handled the St. Aubyn poll. There is an unwritten law of public administration which says tliat failure is inexcusable, and while this may be condoned to some extent so far as the actual St. Aubyn poll is concerned, there is frankly no excuse for the puerile attitude of retaliation adopted by the Mayor after the poll. This inexcusable unconciliatory attitude will provoke a similar policy of retaliation from the ratepayers of St. Aubyn, and the liope of an early consummation of a complete scheme for a Greater New Plymouth appears to lie in a change of the civic head. This is one of the very material points at issue to-day. St. Aubrn, had it been judiciously canvassed and tactfully educatod to a realisation of the possibilities that await it by merging with the city and the other suburbs, would to-day have been part of the amalgamated districts; and the long-desired tramway system would have been something more than "in the air" in local politics. Rightly or wrongly, as a matter of fact, Mr. Browne appears to have put the good people of St. Aubyn "on edge." and it is doubtful, should he retain the

Mayoralty, whether they ca.i be induced to reconsider their derision to remain outside the fold. On the olhor hand, the chairman of the St. Anbyn Town Board has given his assurance that in the event of Mr. Medley being returned he and those associated with him in opposing the merging proposals will do everything in their power to reverse the unfortunate decision of last month. The matter is one of more than momentary interest to the borough, and it should certainly weigh more with the. electors, in casting their votes, than any personal predilections for one or other individual. It has been said by those opposed to Mr. Medley that Mr. Browne's admittedly long and useful service to the town should command for him the con. tinued confidence of the electors. But there are times when a change is desir- 1 able, for long service is apt to generate that over-confidence which, like, vaulting ambition, overleaps itself and "falls on the other side." Thfe most casual housewife at times will realise the merits of that much belittled new broom, which can be depended upon to sweep clean. New Plymouth wants that broom. Good servants are not necessarily good masters, and Mr. Browne has, at best, been only a good servant. Good, leadership is wanted more than ever in civic matters in New Plymouth to-day, and good leadership does not consist of the personal cleaning of gutters and the lighting of lamps. There is no question of sentiment involved, and we join with the rest of the town in freely recognising the excellent work Mr. Browne has done during his tenure of ofiice. But it is impossible to overlook his disabilities while recognising his many virtues. We are convinced that the town would do well to replace him by Mr. Medley, but should the electors decide otherwise they will still have the services of a man who is at least enthusiastic and honest in his professions. We are fortunately not faced with a choice of evils, but in a discrimination between two good citizens W'O have no hesitation in saying that the return of Mr. Medley to the Mayoral chair will be in the best interests of the town and of the district.