LOCAL ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1086, 27 March 1911, Page 6

LOCAL ELECTIONS.

LABOUR AT THE HUSTINGS. Messrs. D. M'Laren, M.P., E. J. Carey, and T. Smith, Labour nominees for tho City Council, and Air. W. T. Young, similarly nominated for tho Harbour J3oard, addressed a public meeting at the Newtown Library on Friday evening. Mr. L. T. Watkins occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance. Mr. Carey said that the whole eight candidates nominated by the New Zealand Labour party had been selected by ballot. He claimed that, as tho wage-earners were tho great bulk of the citizens, they were entitled to a majority in representation on the governing body of the city. The names of the two sitting Labour members were at times included on the citizens' ticket. That was merely a sop to tho workers, and would tend to divide the Labour vote. Vested interests and property rights still exercised considerable influence over the "business men" candidates. (A voice: "More so!") There wore still many things which were open to the extension of the system of public ownership—gas, milk, bread, workers' homes, theatres, baggage service, etc., and Labour men. could be depended upon to insist on a fuller and more earnest adherence to the ideal.

Sir. D. M'Laren said that the Labour ticket stood for, all labour,' no matter what tho press said, and labour should put forward candidates because- it stood for the principle of collective good. If that principle was right, then they should have a full representation on the council. He advocated tho establishment of municipal markets, and thought that they would soon liavo them. He recalled the manner in which his candidature has been received in 1911, yet lif claimed that hp came- of stock which, had produced a Lord Provest of Glasgow. Mr. M'Laren went on to state that the office of Mayor should be relieved of much of tho "show business," and made more to resemble the managing director of a business , firm. The present system permitted the "stuffing" of municipal popitions with favourites. A municipal labour bureau would diminish that sort of thing.

Mr. T. Smith, who followed, advocated the extension of the tramway to Kilbirnie, via Constable Street. As an old resident of Newtown, he would strongly urge the undertaking of the work, especially as it would provide employment during the coming winter. It would also benefit trade in Newtown and relieve the congestion on the tunnel route.

Mr. W. T. Young said that they had listened to their municipal advisers, and now they were called upon to listen to their nautical advisor. He had had fourteen years' sea service, and thirteen and a half years' experience in seafaring matters in the port of Wellington. A close investigation of Harbour Board affairs was desirable. The Harbour Board had set out to purchase the Patent Slip, and l\ad finished up by giving the Union Company security of that property for 25 years. It was the duty of the board to have acquired the property at all costs. There would, sooner or la'ter, have to be a dock, and ho would advocate as a site the corner of tho Oriental Bay Esplanade, near Clyde. Quay, as both central, convenient, and sheltered from tho prevailing winds. If he were returned hn would give the board a "fair shaking." The present chairman had done that, and if he (the speaker) was returned he would give him support. Ho advocated that all works should be done, by day labour. • • "

Votes of thanks were accorded to all four speakers.. .