ELEVEN PLANKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 8

ELEVEN PLANKS.

MR. J. A. WARNOCK'S PLATFORM.

COMMENCEMENT OF CAMPAIGN

ADDRESS AT REMUERA.

Mr. J. A. Warnoek, the Deputy Mayor, gave bis opening address in support of his candidature for the Mayoralty at the Remuera Public Libary Hall last evening. Mr. C. H. Furness presided over a fairly large attendance of ratepayers. In opening, Mr. Warnoek thanked the ratepayers for turning out in inclement weather to attend what would be a dry-as-dust entertainment. The first thing he wished to do was to explain his attitude, as it had been suggested that he had gone behind somebody's back and had played a lowdown trick. At one of Mr. Baildon's meetings at the Scots Hall, Mr. Mackenzie said that Mr. Baildon had chosen him (Mr. Warnoek) as the Deputy Mayor although he was tenth on the list at the poll and the fact that the speaker intended to contest the Mayoralty had been a considerable surprise. Mr. Warnoek said he was first approached about February 3, by three gentlemen, who stated that the businessmen of Auckland were dissatisfied with the council's policy and the way that things were being shelved. They stated that they had four gentlemen in view whom they intended to approach. The speaker told them to ask the other three, and if a refusal was met with, they could fall back on him. The three gentlemen were approached in turn, and turned the offer down. The speaker then said if they pot a truly representative deputation, he would consider the matter, and pive his answer in due course. On February 17 a deputation waited upon him —a deputation that was wonderful in its scope and representative of all classes of the community. Deputy Mayor's Position. Proceeding, Mr. Warnoek said that, although he was the Deputy Mayor, he was only an ordinary councillor, except at such times that the Mayor was absent from the city. He was not in the Mayor's confidence, could not nose in on the Mayor's business policy, and unless the Mayor sent for him he was just the same as any other councillor. The only time that they met was on Monday mornings, when they visited the Zoo together to spend a couple of hours with the animals. (Laughter.) If he was accused of not taking the opportunity of showing capabilities of leadership, his reply would be that he did not have the opportunity. On the other hand the council meetings that he had conducted had been carried out with decorum and in a proper manner. Two big jobs in a social way had fallen upon the speaker. One was the entertainment of the Admiral and men of the American Fleet, who still spoke of the wonderful reception that they had at Auckland. Another social duty was the entertainment of the members of the Ptess conference on their way to Australia. If elected, he would do his utmost to uphold the dipnity of the city, and he did not think that he would fail. (Applause.) More Play Areas. Mr. Warnoek said that the city had only two fully equipped plaving areas, but they were trying to a'rrange for others. Of recent years girls' sports bad become popular, and he thought that the time had come when an area should be provided for women's sports. He wa* an advocate of a Greater Auckland, and Ins advice would be, if any borcu-'h or area thought of joining, to take the lesson of Grey Lynn, and get in, and take what the gods provided. The experience of other districts, Arcli Tjj;j Eden Terrace, Point Chevalier and Remuera, was that they progressed and advanced after joining the citv. He considered that the small local hodi>s should not be held at arm's-length. as the time had come for good feeliTiijr and co-operation. .Mr. Warnoek touched briefly on the water supply, and contended "that the City Council was entitled to such profit as would provide for renewals and extensions. In regard to the tramwavs the council had been accused of pavinc too much for the purchase. a"s a matter of fact, the people themselves had sanctioned the purchase after the facts had been exhaustively placed before them. He had voted against the recent increase in tram fares, and contended that they should not have been raised until a balance-sheet of the tramways was available. When that was available, he would be prepared to go into the matter. Mr. Ford had presented a very valuable report on the tramways, and the speaker agreed with the decision to borrow £100,000 for tramway extensions. The Platforms. After expressing agreement with tlir present policy of road construction, provided the balance of the work was economically carried out, Mr. Warnoek said that Mr. Baildon's platform was three by half-inch kahikatea, and certainly not heart of kauri. After dealing briefly with the planks in hi? opponent's platform, Mr. Warnoek 6aid that his platform would be as follows: (1) Careful and searching review of the financial position with a view to sound, progressive and economical administration. (2) On receipt of the tramways balance-sheet thorough investigation so that the services may be placed in such a state as to give an efficient service for the cheapest possible fares. (3) Immediate report from the city engineer on such works as may be put in hand to help relieve unemployment during the coming winter. (4) immediate putting into effect of a scheme for utilising the area known as the Civic Square, as recommended by the Parks and Reserves Committee, or a similar scheme providing for the maximum income, part of the area to be used as a traffic centre, and none of the land to be permanently alienated from city ownership. (5) Economical and careful expenditure of remainder of the streets loan of £750,000. (6) Endeavour to secure several small areas and equipment for childrcn's playing grounds. (7) Endeavour to provide more sports amis, especially at least one for girls' sports. (8) Provide at least two more rest rooms for women, one in Queen Street and one on the waterfront. (9) Early conference of all local bodies in the metropolitan area to consider matters of mutual interest with a view to co-operation. (10) Early conference to consider advisability or otherwise of the formation of transport and water boards. (11) Thorough investigation of traffic conditions and means of regulating the traffic. Mr. Warnoek answered a number of questions at the close of his address, and, finally, on the motion of the chairman, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.