“FACING THE MUSIC.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2486, 27 April 1909, Page 4

“FACING THE MUSIC.”

It has been urged against Mr Miller’s Mayoral candidature that he is “afraid to face the music”, or in other words that lie dared not get on a public platform to address an audience. The stress which opponents lay upon this alleged failing suggests that in their minds the highest possible qualification for a Mayor is that he should have the capacity to stand upon a box at a street corner, a balcony overhanging business premises, the platform of a building, or any other raised object and from thence give utterance to a flow of words which shall not cease within a given period. To those who think thus it may be as well to give a reminder that it is not so much a talker as a man of action who is very urgently needed in our Mayoral chair at the present time. If talking were all that were wanted then indeed we already have an ideal Mayor. It is, of course, an advantage that the Mayor of a town shall be able to clothe his ideas in suitable language but, after all, the first necessity is that he should have ideas which are worth the utterance. We are supporting Mr. Miller in the present campaign not because of any gift of oratory but because he appears to us to be possessed of sound ideas for municipal advancement, has the necessary enthusiasm and energy to work for them, and has the very valuable facility of being able to work harmoniously with those amongst whom his lot is cast. If merely a talker were required then wo should at once have to admit that Mr. Miller should stand aside _in favor of the present occupant of the Mayoral position. who is, indeed, possessed of a most remarkable aptitude for delivering multitudinous words whenever an opportunity is provided. At tire same time it must be borne in mind that while laying no claim to oratory Mr. Miller has the faculty of being able to present his views in a clear.\ forcible, and brief manner, and that he never talks for talking’s sake. It would he unfortunate for Gisborne to have a Mayor who could not voice his opinions, but it is nothing short of a calamity to have a Mayor who talks too much and too foolishly.