TWO MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13103, 30 April 1908, Page 6

TWO MAYORAL ELECTIONS.

rhe Wellington Mayoral election—the most hotly contested of its kind that wo remember—has ended in ihe reelection of Mr T .W. Hielop, who defeated, his opponent, Mr J. G. "W. Aitken, M.P., by no fewer than 3(513 votes. The polling, as was expected, was heavy, more than 00 per cent, of the electors recording their votes, and it is interesting to note that Mr Hislop's total exceeded the whoJe number of votes cast at the election last year, when he defeated Mr T. M. Wilford. Tho election, as wo have previously pointed out, has been fought out strenuously, even bitterly, and the shortcomings and delinquencies of his

opponent have occupied a prominent place in tho many addresses delivered by each candidate. Mr HLslop, we fancy, being even more embittered than Mr Aitken. The reports of the speeches indicate that in many respects the policy of the candidates ran on almost similar lines, both advocating, for inetance, the municipalisation of the milk supply and the gasworks, and tho provision, by the municipality, of homes for workers. Mr Aitken, however, has

recognised thatj necessary ns is a progressive municipal polteVj in order that tho requirements of tho citizens may bo mot, it should be carried out with a prudent regard for economy, lest the burden upon the ratepayers become too harassing to be borne. We look in va.in in. Mr Hislop's speeches for any suggestion as to "pulling up" in th© public expenditure, in spite, of tlm enormous growth of the. amount drawn aiiiinwlly from the city ratepayers during tho past few years. It is probable tliat to some extent !he owes liis success to this fact, for a. policy of open-handed expenditure is always popular among those, whoso pockets it affects either no-, at all or very lightly. The recent rapid development of Wellington, a very natural source of-pride to its resident, has added to Mr Hislop's "mana," and ivliilo hi-s actioiu in regard to Mr Keir Hardm> was resented by many, it undoubtedly won, him a solid vote from tho Labour-Socialists, who regard tho Mayor as a strong, sympathiser with their doctrines. It may be noted however, that when Mr Ilislop was asked «.t onxf of his meetings whether he was in favour of "a further dovelop- " mon.t of munioipalisa-tion—namely, " Socialisation"—ho would not commit himself further than by saying that "it was merely a matter ."of words; society Svad to " determine from time to timo what " enterprise it would go in for." To seek further for other causes of Mr Hislop's redoubtable victory, mention must bo made of Mrs Hislop, a lady who is esteemed throughout the city for her good works. It is significant of tho regard in which she is held that at the mooting addressed by Mr Hislop in the Town Hall on Monday might a resolution was passed amid loud applause to i}i<s effect that "in " recognition of "the energy, intella- '' gence and kindness show a by Mrs ,; Hislop in. her position as Mayoress "to all sections of tho city residents, " tho citizens present recognise and "honour her by doing all in ttfedr " jyower to conserve her position as "such." Mr Hislop lias good cans© to feel elated at his victory, but if ho intends, as he claims, to represent all classes, he will remember that a very solid, vote in favour of a more cautious policy was recorded against him, and he will conduct his administration accordingly. TV> thoso best able to judge Mt Hislop's ro-eleotion was no surprise, except 6O far as tho size of his majority was concerned. The same remark certainly cannot,be applied to tho return of Mr Charles Allison for Christ church. Mir Payling explained his defeat, after the result was Jcmown., by saying that it was duo rto the over-confidence of tais. siiipportens. To a Targe extent this <was no doubt true,, although, there is some reason, to believe tihat iMr Paylin,g liiimself fell into the same error. Mr Allison's public wooing of the electors, it must bo admitted, was not conducted an very strenuous fashion, but he must Ihavo worked quieUy, and ho may certainly claim it as a compliment that Sydenham, whore ho is 'best known, ganro' ihrini such a largo majority over his opponent. PoxboiiaHy, •wo thank 'that Mr Payling deserred better troatmont than he has received, but wo trust that Mir Allison's administration during liis- yesur of office will justify tlio confidemee that the electors have reposed in him.