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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2670, 27 November 1909, Page 4

' CONCERNING DEMOCRACY. It is the proud, boast of every New Zealander that lie lives in a democratic country,- under democratic conditions, and with a democratic Government. In the main his contention is justified though occasionally the completeness of his satisfaction in this respect lulls him into a sense of security that is not justified by results. In no phase of life more than in politics, does the axiom apply:—“Eternal vigilance, is the 'price of liberty.” Thus the most democratic government will quickly degenerate into an autocracy once the satisfaction of the people develops into apathy. This was strikingly instanced in the case of the late Richard Seddon, for in the latter years of the great man’s Premiership New Zealand was most certainly under autocratic rule. It v vas a one-man Government, and this is necessarily antagonistic to every principle of democracy. ;* The present time is opportune to consider this basic feature of colonial life for an endeavor is being made to depart from it in the municipal affairs of the town. It is an essential axiom in democratic polities that every person shall have a voice in determining, as directly as possible, the laws he shall obey and the expenditure he shall be called upon to pay. Having given expression to his opinion he shall then abide by the wishes of the •majority. This is not an ideal method, for, under it, the minority receives little or no consideration orico the vote is taken. Moreover, it does

not follow that actual justice is arrived

[ at by the mere counting of heads for no - one can be certain that the majority will be always right and the minority wrong, or vice versa. However, subject to these limitations, the majorityrule is found to constitute a rough kind of jgstiee that to some extent satisfies modern requirements. It is for the application of this principle to the present municipal loan proposals, that we are contending at the present time. We claim, that according to the legislation by which we are governed, according to the democratic principles under, which it is based no Council lias a right to plunge the people into liabilities without first giving every voter a chance to vote upon them. We claim that the majority of the present Council is endeavoring to evade the first principle of democracy. They have decided that the community ought to agree to certain works being carried out, but being uncertain whether or not the community really 7 wants these works they arc presenting the issue in such a way that a dear expression of opinion cannot be given. A ratepayer cannot register his vote for the sewerage loan of £70,000 without also supporting loans for recreation grounds, Waimata hr dge waterworks, roads, tramways, and electric light plant. . Mr. Lysnar and his followers may be correct in their judgment as to what is in the interests of the community, but that does not give them the right to bar the man who wants to vote for sewerage likewise expressing Ills opinion against the tramway and other proposals. They may, as apjiears to he elaimed, possess all the wisdom and all the patriotism that exists in the town, but they must not forget that even foolish and unpatriotic people have to pay their share of rates and can therefore claim a right to vote. This pooling of a number of divers issues may be in accordance with law, but it is certainly entirely against the spirit of our general legislation, and it should be prohibited by law. However, as matters now stand, we can only hope that before it is too late the Mayor and hi 6 supporters on the Council will see the manifest injustice that will be inflicted on the ratepayers if the procedure at present suggested is given effect to, and will place the different loan proposals before the ratepayers as separate issues. Unless this is done we feel sure the proposals will be rejected.’for the people of Gisborne are not at all likely to tolerate the high-handed action that is now contemplated.