MAYOR BEFORE MEMBER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 191, 12 August 1911, Page 5

MAYOR BEFORE MEMBER.

MR. C. J. PARR DBCMNEa v nomination: AS A. CANDIDATE FOR CITY vv*EST. I : —— , . . •' _ "Seen by a "Star" representative this morning respecting his reply to the requisition that he should become a candidate for Auckland -West at the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, the •Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr), said he had decided to decline nomination. He thought he ought for the present to postpone any idea of entering Parliament. The City Council was of the opinion that the Mayoralty had first claim on his time and energies, and he felt that the Councillors were right. They had a big (programme .of city improvement to carry out, and it was perhaps hardly fair, either to the city or to himself, .that he should attempt, at the initial stage of important' municipal ventures, to abandon control of 'these things. A Parliamentary' career had allurements, ibut he thought the office of Mayor at the present time was one of more importance and influence. They were at the point when Auckland was changing from villagedom, and was rapidly developing into a great, city. In this important stage of transition there were a thousand and one municipal necessities imperatively demanding attention. The tasks he had in hand were worthy of the best powers of any man. Though the work was onerous and responsible, it' was not uncongenial or burdensome, and he was happv in having the support and confidence of his council in most of Jus measures. ,He had, therefore, made up his mind to stay where he *»s, *nd«r vote his time and -strength to «J successful carrying out of the city" schemes of improvement and reforms. His time for politics was not yet; it might come later if the cituens so ■wished.