DECADENCE OF PUBLIC SPIRIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1921, Page 4

DECADENCE OF PUBLIC SPIRIT.

In giving short shift to a proposal that borough councillors as well as mayors should be paid for their services, the recent municipal conference acted with commendable good sense. The administration of public affairs, from Parliament downwards, entails no compulsion on any citizen of the Empire. It is not so very long ago that members of the House of Commons were unpaid, and in still older days, when votes were purchasable, the expenses of contesting an election in the Motherland were such that only those possessing ample means could become candidates. The onward

march of democracy has changed that and many other important matters, but whether for the better or worse as regards the welfare of humanity, who shall say? There can, however, be no two honest opinions that the principle of serving the public for the mere honor of being of some use in promoting the interests of t’he community has given’ place to an eager desire for the loaves and fishes represented by pecuniary recompense; in other words, a decadence of public spirit is manifest in most branches of administrative duties, though it is gratifying to note there are prominent men willing to devote their time and talent for the public welfare without a thought of reward, or even of the gratitude of those they Serve. All honor to such, and may the day be far distant when this grand trait of the British race is no longer in evidence. The principle of paying members of Parliament is one that is inherent to democratic government, for it enables all classes to be represented, but, even so, it 'has introduced a new element into public life that has undermined the good old canons of honorary effort, and made politics a profession. Manifestly a line must be drawn somewhere between paid and unpaid public services. Unfortunately the tendency is to drive in the wedge of recompense at every available opportunity, and in every possible direction. Infinitely more desirable is it that men should feel proud to help their fellows without thought of reward, but as a duty the performance of which is an honor as well as a pleasure.