Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1911. THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10134, 12 January 1911, Page 4

Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1911. THE MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE.

The Municipal Corporations Amendment Act, which came into operation on January Ist, is creating quite a flutter throughout the Dominion. The absurd provision which renders it impossible for a shareholder or director of a company doing business with a municipal corporation to take part in civic aifairs is goin£ to play havoc .with the administration of local government, particularly in the smaller townships. The most important provision in the new Act, however, is that which extends the franchise to every man and woman over the age of twenty-one years who has been resident in a borough for* a longer period than three months. Hitherto the qualification of a burgess has been a person paying rates or, being resident, paying ,rent to the amount of £lO per year. The extension of the franchise moans that the working man with a family of grown-up sons and daughters will be given a considerable voice in municipal matters. Logically, ■ this is as it should be. If the privilege granted every man and woman of mature age of voting at a Parliamentary election : be' 'based on* a correct principle, then the concession of the same privilege in municipal elections can scarcely . be denied. The effect of the new "law Syill obvignflly be to throw the responsibility of local government largely Tiport the shoulders of the labouring classes.

Men of leisure liave, for some reason or -another, refrained from taking an active part in local government in the past. In the future, with the extomled franchise, they will scarcely find it possible to render service should they feel so disposed. With men of business disqualified on account of their identification with various companies, it is obvious that the workers will be largely called upon to administer local government. The effect of the change will be watched with considerable interest, and with 110 little anxiety. The man possessed of property will no longer be a consideration in municipal affairs. His particular function will be to pay and look happy. It is true that on loan questions ratepayers only will be entitled to vote; but with the extended powers given municipal corporations in the way of finance, it will be possible for an irresponsible local authority to impose obligations upon a community which will be unbearable. . The future ,of local government will depend largely upon the moderation exercised by the labour party.