THE; MAYORAL ELECTION,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 178, 22 April 1908, Page 6

THE; MAYORAL ELECTION,

The first really comprehensive address of the Mayoral election_ 'campaign was delivered last evening in the Concert Room of the Town Hall by Mr. Aitken. It .was a plain, stiaightforward, businesslike address, such as thinking citizens who are concerned with' the future welfare of the city should'find profit 5 in listening to; and it provoked a proper measure of enthusiasm.; We do not, propose to follow Mr. Aitken in detail—a very fuli report of,his remarks will be found in our news columns—but there are some features of his address which call for passing comment. The_ candidate's friends, must/have experienced a, large measure of satisfaction from the complete fashion in which he disposed of the cowardly rumours set 4 in circulation concerning his private business affairs; and should have been even more delighted ivitli the vigorous aiid convincing manner in which he handled the criticisms of his opponent. H>; very neatly turned the tables on Mr. Hislop's claims to superior business methods, his illustrations, of dallying with important ,works : for which the mbney had long ago been voted being especially damaging/ Many citizens,'probably have forgotten that nearly two years,ago they decided at the poll to borrow money to. provide tln\ city with adequate latrines . and to construct the" tramway loop in Charlotte Street. Mr. Hislop's pushfulness,, of -which ,ws hear so much, is sadly discounted by the long delay which has taken-place since the money was voted, for carrying out these pressing As to his intentions, if elected, Mr, Aitken. was, .frank and emphatic. He considers that the tir?ie. has qrriyqd, when' increases - in;' tiie rates should cease, for the time, being at least. The marked/ increase,, in the valuation of city property lias led to., a large increase m the amounts taken from the pocketsiof ratepayers, and Mr. Aitken is confident that, ,the revenue. now received is. sufficient to meet the requirements for the immediate future. Indeed, if the valuation of property continues to increase he is convinced that the city caii afford to reduce the existing rates without abandoning its policy of progress. _ That lie intends to push forward needed improvements was plainly evidenced. Tramway extensions to Wadestown, to Northland via Kelburne (including, the taking over of the. Kelburne tramway), to Maranul, and to Roseneath; also the through connection to Kilbirnie via Constable Street, are all included in his pro-, giammo. Better footpaths, better roads, tepid baths are also in his opinion necessary and procurable without increasing the burdens of the people. On the subject of < the purchase of the gasworks Jie left no room, for the slightest doubt as to his intentions. It is to be regretted, perhaps, that 1 ) Mr. ■Aitken attempted to crowd so much into one address. It inight have been better to have devoted one evening to replying to his critics and a second to outlining his policy, seeing that it is one of such • great importance to the city. Its enthusiastic reception by those present at last night's meeting should stimulate his supporters to even greater efforts to gecure his return at next Wednesday's poll.