THE ELECTIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 April 1917, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

The Harbor, Hospital Board, and Municipal elections take place to-morrow, but, so far as New Plymouth is concerned, they are exciting little interest. There are three candidates for the two vacancies on the Harbor Board—Messrs C. E. Bellringcr, sitting member, Mr J. S. Connett, and Mr J. McLeod. Mr Bellringer has done such good service whilst on tho Board that it is unlikely the public will do other than re-elect him. The difficulty will be in deciding between the other two candidates. Mr Connett is one of the most-enlightcne-i and progressive of our settlers, and has done invaluable work as president of the Agricultural Society and member and later chairman of the County Council. Mr McLeod is an able and sue-' cessful business man, who has been identified with many public and semipublic activities, and would make a useful member. Both are good men, and the public can hardly go wrong whoever they elect. For the Hospital Board there are live nominations for the three seats. Mrs Doekrill is the only retiring member. Mr C. M. Lepper, former secretary and chairman, offers bin services. Ilis suitability for the position is unquestioned, but his health, unfortunately, is indifferent, and whether it could stand the strain of office is doubtful. Mr Nicoll is untried in public matters, but a capable business man, and would, no doubt, make a useful member, The remaining two, Messrs Gilmour and Watkins, have been unsuccessful candidates on a former occasion, so that at any rate they are persistent in their efforts to serve the community. Ten candidates have been nominated for the eight sen*! on the Borough Council. The old members comprise Messrs W. A. Collis, E. Griffiths, J. W. Harden, F. J. Hill, W. F. Short, and A. E. Watkins. Of the others, Mr G. W. Browne and Mr Jas. Clarke are old members of the Council, and very usefu. ones they proved. For that reason we would like to see them successful 0:1 this occasion. Both Mr E. J. I)eare anil Mr E. 11. Tribe, tho new blood, have claims for support Electors have been given the opportunity of gauging the worth of the old councillors. It can safely be said that all have given ratepayers of their best, but perhaps a leaven of new blood will not be without advantage to them and the borough.

END OF THE STRIKE. The visit of the Acting Premier and the Hon. W.' D. S. Macdonald to the miners' strongholds has evidently not been without avail, for news comes that the strike lias ended, and that the miners return to work to-inorro>v. The news will bo hailed with satisfaction throughout the Dominion, which was just beginning to feel the effects of th« stoppage of coal supplies. It is not stated what the conditions of settlement are, but it is unlikely that the Ministers have promised anything that would derogate from the Military Service Act or interfere with the course o« justice in respect of the arrested miner leaders charged with seditious behaviour. It may lie that, following the statements of the Ministers, the miners saw the frilly and disloyalty of their action, and took the first opportunity of reversing their foolish decision. However, that may be, it is satisfactory to know that the trouble has onded, but it will bo still more satisfactory to be assured (hat it has been terminated without the Government giving way in any particulars. The strikers' attitude was mou ' strous and traitorous, and admitted of no compromise or concession whatever. We hope the lesson will be taken to heart. For one thing, it should load to big consumers turning their attention to other forms of heat, power and and teach those dependent on coal to have by them as large reserves as possible. Men who would "down tools" and endeavor to paralyse industry without causa or reason at a time when th» nation is fighting for its very life, and when so many are making sacrifices mat cannot be measured in term 3 of pounds, shillings and pence, CRnnot lie lelien upon in future. Possibly thev wurj swayed by their disgruntled and. ignorant leaders. We would prefer to think that they were.