The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1919. THE BEST MEN WANTED.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1919. THE BEST MEN WANTED.

The new period on which the world has entered has brought with it an insistent need for the services in Parliamentary, municipal and other national activities of men of energy, foresight, initiative, and administrative ability—the best business men of the younger generation, bent on progress on sound lines, and untramelled by the conditions of the past. Among the many changes brought about by the war, not the least important was the demand for forcefulness and virility in public as well as in industrial and other spheres. The old rut in which our forefathers travelled is of no use to-day. Times have changed, and new methods are essential if we are to hold our own and enter into the new spirit of the age, with its new ideas and revised notions of progress. Parliament is just what the electors make it by their selection of members, and municipalities are the same. The recent Mayoral election in New Plymouth clearly demonstrated the lack of interest of the citizens, for out of a roll of 4250 only 1828 votes were recorded. It may well be asked how it is to be expected that the right stamp of men will come forward when such apathy is shown in a contested election for the office of Mayor. It will be remembered that when Mr. Burgess retired from office he stressed the fact that there was a lot of work ahead, and that New Plymouth must not be left behind in the matter of progress. He also pointed out the necessity for younger men replacing their elders on the Council, as they had more energy, more go, and would take more risks. We were, he said, on the eve of a big forward movement, and must have the best men to guide and steer New Plymouth aright. The men are here, and it should require no great pressure to induce them to come forward and make the town a model of all that it should be. The tenor of Mr. Burgess' remarks is to be also found in the speech made by the Mayor-elect, Mr J. Clarke, when returning thanks for his election. The town will be just what it 3 administrators make it, hence the need for new young blood ■' that will put "ginger" into things and push the town ahead. There is only one way in which this desirable end can be achieved, and that is by the citizens "taking a real, live interest in municipal affairs —an interest that will be an incentive to the best brains of the community being attracted to its service. Much good work has been done despite the apathy of the people. The administration of the borough has now entered on a, new phase, which, if properly directed, will mean much in the future. .There must be, however, no lukewarmneas, but a concentration of , effort and the co-operation of the younger meg. in. the direction, of affairs. '

ME. S. G. SMITH'S ADDRESS. The cordial reception accorded to the member for Taranaki at New Plymouth on Thursday night may be taken as evidence that during the time he lias represented tile constituency in Parliament he has endeavored to do his best for the electors and the country, and that the public are quite sensible and appreciative of the fact. A new member has much to learn as to procedure in Parliament, and is, therefore, if he ia wise, not likely to take a great part in debates, though he does useful work on committees, and gains experience that will be of much service in the event of his retaining the confidence of his electorate. On those occasions on which he spoke, Mr Smith received a favorable and attentive hearing, ind this is as much as any new member dare hope for. It can fairly be admitted that so far as the requirements in his electorate are concerned, Mr. Smith has done good service, and been keen to champion local interests whenever occasion arose. The last session was not one.. In which private members had much chance of bringing off coups, so they cannot be blamed for a lack of legislative triumphs. His explanation as to the cutting out of the Opunake-Mqturoa railway had already been made, and accepted as a matter beyond his control. There is tot the slightest reason to doubt his zeal and sincerity in forwarding the construction of this line, which will be such an important feeder to the chief port of the province. His advice to the people of Taranaki to combine and demand the vigorous construction of the StratfordOkahukura line, and an equally vigorous policy of metalling the main north road between Waitara and Te Kuiti, has been frequently tendered in the past, but its reiteration detracts nothing from its value. As regards the members' references to political matters, there was nothing new brought forward. The legislation he favors is that which has persistently been advocated for some time past. A commencement was made last session to attack the large arrears of domestic and industrial legislation, but the bulk of the work remains to be done. It was only natural that, as an ex-railway-man of the second division, he justified the opposition to the Railways Amendment Bill, not that he objected to paying good men good salaries, but to have justice done to the lower men by paying them good wagas also. Mr. Smith expressed himself in favor of making the gratuity to returned soldiers three shillings a day, which appears to savor more of vote-catching than sound policy. The candidate again stands as an Independent, though he hopes to see a Labor Party come into power, purged of "international revolutionary socialism," and to such a Party he would give adherence. Meanwhile he proposes to give a general support to the progressive measures of the Liberals if they are returned to power, while a motion of no-confidence in the Reform Party would get his vote. Apparently this anti-Massey policy is the only definite political plank laid down by Mr Smith. For the rest, his policy is suspended, lik< Mahomet's coffin, in midair, awaiting events. From this lofty eminence he can survey the party warfare with equanimity, but whether his usefulness as a member of the House will be enhanced or depreciated thereby remains to be seen. His useful and conscientious services to his constituents in the past, however, certainly entitles him to the gratitude of his constituents.