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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 257, 9 April 1915, Page 4

BOROUGH COUNCIL ELECTION.

The near approach of the time for the nomination and election of representatives of the ratepayers on the New Plymouth Borough Council does not seem to arouse any enthusiasm in municipal matters. This is by no means a good sign. There, never hits been a period in the history of the town when the need for thoroughly sound and careful administration has been more urgent that at the present moment, yet several of those who have done excellent service on the retiring Council arc drawing out and not seeking re-election, while, so far, there does not appear to be sufficient new candidates to fill the vacancies. The Council needs men of progressive and practical ideas, possessed of sound common sense and a knowledge of affairs in general. There are, no doubt, plenty of men willing to take a seat on the Council, but most of those who possess the necessary qualifications put forward the plea that they have not the time to devote to the work, while those who have the time seem to lack the inclination. At the present juncture, when selfsacrifice is being so splendidly exhibited in other directions, it seems that municipal . affair are being woefully neglected ; ■ yet the position of matters in New Plymouth is sufficiently serious to warrant the keenest interest in the administration of its affairs. The burden of rates is growing, while, the liability for loans is being enlarged. It is, of course, impossible to supply a town with modern improvements without borrowed money. It is, in view of the serious nature of borough, affairs, that we urge leading business men of administrative ability to Jiiake a sacrifice for the good of the town and take part in the administration of its affairs. There is no dearth of such men here, and, if asked, they could hardly refuse. So long as indifference is displayed by the ratepayers it is hardly to be expected that our leading citizens should evince eagerness to undertake responsible and heavy work that will make serious demands on their valuable time. Just now the town needs such men and needs them urgently, as the future of the borough in great measure depends on the policy of the next few years. For the mayoralty there is to be a contest, and that is satisfactory as far as it goes, but the Mayor is only one among the .Council, and what is most vital is that a strong, practical, progressive Council should be obtained which can be relied upon to act with discretion and to steer the borough through a critical period of its history.