A PUBLIC DUTY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20494, 10 May 1938, Page 6

A PUBLIC DUTY

The interest displayed in the local body elections this year should ensure a much heavier vote than usual. Local government is of direct importance to all citizens. They desire to have the public services brought up to, and maintained at, the highest possible level of efficiency, and the general public business discharged in a manner that will be a credit to their town or district. During the term of office of any > council or board critics are not wanting, and to the extent that the criticism indicates an alert interest in public affairs and the activities of local bodies it is to be welcomed. The citizens enjoy the right of selecting for themselves those who shall control the local administration, but the right implies a duty, and that duty is to record a considered vote. Three years ago the aggregate of the votes cast in Hamilton probably constituted a record, but, even so nearly 4000 persons whose names were on the rolls did not go to the polling booth. When compared with other provincial centres in this respect probably Hamilton held a favourable position, but that is not an altogether satisfactory standard. All who claim to be good citizens, interested in the development of their town, anxious to do what they can to ensure its progress, must regard it as a plain duty to vote to-morrow. They use the ballot paper to delegate to the candidates of their choice extensive powers, and naturally they will select the men who, in their opinion, are best fitted to transact municipal business. If those elected know that they have the support of a substantial majority of the electors then that will be an incentive to them to give of their best in the interests of the borough as a unit. It is not much to ask of all residents, once in three years, to make a point of voting. If they did not enjoy the privilege they would very quickly demand it, for rights are seldom overlooked. The same interest should be shown with regard to what the right implies. Everyone entitled to record a vote should do so.