THE CITY MAYORALTY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 475, 6 April 1909, Page 4

THE CITY MAYORALTY.

The contest for the City Mayoralty has become decidedly interesting. In addition to Messrs. Newman, Fisher, Bolton, and Wilfobd, Labour has now entered the field with a candidate 'of its own in the person of the Hon J. Rig a. What effect this will have on the chances of the other candidates it is not easy to determine, but Messrs. Wilford and Bolton will probably be the greatest sufferers, while Dr, Newhan may suffer least. Since our last reference to the contest, Messrs. Bolton and Wilford have both addressed the electors of the city, and it is satisfactory to find that they, like the other candidates who have spoken, recognise that tho time has come to "go slow" in municipal affairs, and that careful and economical administration of the city's undertakings is the chief need of the hour. There is little in the speeches of cither candidate that demands special attention. Mr. Bolton indulged in certain criticisms of the actions of previous councils which call for further explanation, and which may give him some trouble to explain, notably his reference to the price paid for the purchase of the Electric Lighting Company's plant. Mr. Wilford broke no new ground of importance, but he revives certain subjects which have been in the background of late. He appears to be favourable to the compulsory purchase of the Gas Company's works providing ratepayers approve, and he proposes a number of undertakings which mean expenditure, notably a milk depot, fish market, new baths site, speedy completion of recreation grounds, taking over of certain private streets, etc. Most of these proposals are familiar to citizens, but Mr. Wilford will experience some difficulty in convincing ratepayers that it is desirable at the present time to embark on any new undertakings which involve any possibility of an increase in the rates. We rather fancy that this candidate has made a mistake in overloading his programme with proposals which, however much they may please certain sections of the community and the residents of particular districts, are not likely to find favour at the present juncture with the people as a whole. Tho election, we believe, will in the end be decided not on the plans and proposals put forward for new works and undertakings, but on the fitness of the candidates to administer the affairs of the city to the best advantage at a time calling for the exercise of great care and economy. The younger candidates in the contest, will probably find this a serious handicap, and Mr. Wilford, who already holds a seat in Parliament as well as the chairmanship of the Harbour Board, will no doubt fiud the already great call on his time an additional disadvantage.