The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1909. MUNICIPAL MUDDLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1909. MUNICIPAL MUDDLING.

When a majority of the Council endorsed the policy propounded by the Mayor, and subsequently amended in committee, there was great jubilation on the part of His Worship’s supporters. The joy of Dr. Collins, the latest convert to Lysnarism, took him a step further than his colleagues and, with all the ardor of who has just changed his political faith, he extolled the great qualities of leadership that had just been displayed by his municipal master. It was generally considered that Mr. W. D. Lysnar had turned the tables on his opponents, and had achieved a diplomatic triumph. Unfortunately for those who, like ourselves, wish the Mayor well and, still more, yearn for something approaching municipal harmony, his victories are rarely the result of real diplomacy, but of bludgeon-slogging methods that leave a feeling of soreness behind which spells further troubles in the future. At the time we pointed out the absurdity 6f the Mayor’s action in endeavoring to have his policy or programme definitely adopted for subsequent adherence by the Council, and hinted that his success would prove to have been merely transient. We suggested that the official ‘statement then agreed to might very well have been placed on tho table and kept for reference as a basis for future deliberations, but that it was simply ridiculous to pledge the members in advance upon a full programme of operations for the year. Wo emliasised, moreover, the fact that the policy originally drawn up by the Mayor had been amended at a committee meeting, from which the press were excluded, s@ that the reasons actuating* those members of the Council who were responsible for the final shape of the policy, as to the advantages of different proposals, were not made known to the public. Yet the minority o'f the Council were expected to sit tamely through tlie year whilst a programme of a most comprehensive nature was being carried into effect, and never have an opportunity of reviewing any important portion thereof except by means of a

notico of motion. Tlio whole idcs was absurd, and oniy the mind of Mr. W. D. Lysnar could have ever seriously believed that it could be given effect to. Councillor Dart-on, who was absent from Gisborne when the i>olicy was under consideration, entered an emphatic protest last night against the Council being bound in tlio manner stated. lie was met by an extraordinary attitude on the part of the Mayor, who wriggled to the best of his ability in a futile en r deavor to meet the cool logic of a persistent Councillor. In one breath he declared that the Council was definitely pledged to the proposals outlined in the policy, and in tlio next he conceded that an opportunity would be given Councillor's to discuss individual proposals in detail as the time came for taking action in regard to them. After wobbling between these two divergent points, he ultimately declared that “that portion of the policy which was an indication of a programme” could be subsequently reviewed, but “specific statements” could not. Just what His Worship meant by these distinctions may be known to himself, but we confess that wo must be included with those Councillors of whom Cr. Collins rather contemptuously observed “They do not understand the subtleness of tho policy.” One sentence in the policy included the statement that “if the ratepayers sanctioned a street loan I (the Mayor) would urge the Council to purchase another Straker waggon.” Before the motion adopting the policy was put, the- -Mayor was asked if the motion were carried would the Council bo pledged to the purchase of a Straker. Mr. Lysnar replied in...the affirmative. This was quite the natural construction to be placed upon the position, bub last night His Worship denied having made the statement, and added that the Council would not be bound, according to the motion formerly carried, to purchase a Straker. Cr. Darton wanted to know other things. He was anxious to learn if the Council w r as already pledged to a bridge over the Waimata, and the purchase of 50 acres, neither more nor less, on the Kaiti Hill; whilst Cr. Clayton desired to know if there would be any opportunity to discuss the question of cost in connection with the Gentle Annie quarry scheme. If words are given their proper meaning, ..these matters are already beyond the pale'of general discussion, but the Mayor, finding himself in difficulties, ruled that they could be subsequently discussed, , albeit in some eases—which ones be did not make clear—notice of motion would have to be given. Altogether this question of a Mayoral policy has resulted, in a beautiful muddle, that is productive of nothing but a woeful waste of time. Whatever His Worship may try to rule, he will have, in actual practice, to concede the principle contended for last night by Cr. Darton, namely, that the Council must be given the opportunity to discuss in open meeting every proposal contained in the policy. Councillor Darton’s motion to that effect was defeated last night, and those who voted against it must have a woeful conception of their duty to the ratepayers, or of municipal practices generally, but it is quite certain that the* community will not tolerate the adoption of the closure principle in connection with important municipal undertakings. To emphasise the point, we will repeat Cr. Darton's motion, which read as follows:

“That while the Council has agreed upon a general policy, each question outlined therein will require to be moved and passed before being carried into effect.”

Yet one of Mr. Lysnar’s most consistent followers, whilst opposing this thoroughly legitimate motion, had the supreme audacity to allege that “those who are against us” (the Lysnarites) are trying to ran the show.” Further comment is needless.