LAST WORDS IN THE CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 181, 27 April 1921, Page 6

LAST WORDS IN THE CAMPAIGN

THE CITIZENS’ TICKET

MR. WRIGHT AT THE TOWN HALL

ADDRESSES BY OTHER CANDIDATES

Mr. R. A. Wright, candidate for the Wellington Mayoralty, and a number of vho candidates for seats on the City Council addressed a meeting of electors in the Concert Chamber last night. Mr. H. D. Bennett was in the chair, and he introduced the candidates individually, with some appreciative references in each ease. The attendance was not very large. The chairman emphasised the importance of tho municipal electoral issue, and urged tho electors to realise their powers and their privileges. It was a matter of the greatest moment that the electors should all go to the polling booths, record their votes, and entrust power to the men of their own selection. The chairman paid a tribute to the public work of Mr. Wright, whom he regarded as eminently qualified to occupy the Mayoral chair.

Mr. Wright said the Greater Wellington constituency was a very wide one, and he had tried to go all round it during the campaign. He seemed, to have attracted a great deal of adverse criticism during thp fight, and he thought that was a good sign from his point of view. He proceeded to reply to statements and charges made by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., in a long letter published right on the eve of the election. Mr. Fraser seemed to have saved up all ’his arguments for use when there was scarcely time for any reply at all, said Mr. 'Wright. The Labour member had suggested that the defeat suffered by Labour in the last British municipal election had no significance for New Zealand. That, of course, was absurd. The British electors had iturned down the Labour Party after experience of its administration, for the simple reason that it had failed to make good. They Hid not want any more Labour rule, with huge increases in expenditure and no corresponding increase in efficiency. Mr. Wright proceeded to refer to tho municipal politics of Bradford, where the electors .after an experience of Labour administration had rejected ne ■-ly every Labour candidate. The kwn was a most important one for the people of Wellington to bear in mind. The Labour candidates were merely trying to deceive the people when they suggested that the rates could be increased by extravagant and fantastic schemes without affecting the workers. The consumer was always tho man who had to pay, and increased rates fell upon tenants and even lodgers, since the actual ratepayers had to pass the burden on.

One of Mr. Fraser’s statements, continued Mr. Wright, was .that the Reform members of Parliament were controlled by a caucus. That was not true. Reform members met in caucus to discuss matters of public concern, but they met as representatives of the people, bound by certain pledges to the electors. The Prime Minister could not give orders to his followers and would never attempt to do so. The control of Reform members of Parliament by some irresponsible body or junta outside Parliament had never been suggested. Yet the Labour candidate for tho Mayoralty had eaid publicly that in case .of difficulty he would go for instructions to tho Labour Representation Committee or the Labour Party. That meant that he was to be the more automaton of an irresponsible body that did not represent the people of Wellington at all. No man who aspired to bo tho head of tho city ought to be willing to accept such a position. (Applause.) Mr. Wright added that if he were elected he would be impartial and. would do his best for the city without regard for creed or party. The times called for prudence, caution and economy, and his object would be to guide the affairs of the city on these lines during the difficult days that lay ahead. Wellington was going to be a great city and hie desire was to do everything possible to conserve its interests, and to prepare for the expansion that the future was sure to bring. He would be proud to become Mayor if the electors selected him, and he would try to surrender his triist 'unsullied and blameless. (Applause.)

Other Candidates Speak.

Mr. Martin Luckio said he had had the honour of serving on the City Council during tho last eight years. During that time the city had passed through the most strenuous and critical stages of its affairs, and retiring councillors, who were offering themselves for reelection, were entitled to point out that enormous increases in the cost of materials and in wages had been met without any considerable increase in the rates. Mr. Luckio spoke appreciatively of the services of the senior officers of the city, and assured the electors that the finances luad been carefully watched and guarded. The councillors had served without financial reward, often at great personal inconvenience, and had done their best for the city. Mr. Luckie .mentioned a statement made by a Labour candidate, that there were two parties in the City Council, Labour and AntiLabour, and that all the members of the Anti-Labour group were sitting in their own interests. This statement' was untrue and unfair; it seemed characteristic of the tactics of the Labour candidates.) Labour members of the council did not sit as representatives of the people, with the interests of the city at heart. They sat as the delegates of a particular group, and they put the interests of that group before the interests of the city. They received their instructions from a committee that was not elected by the people at all- Mr. Luckie urged the electors to use tho full fifteen votes in marking their ballot papers, since each wasted vote would benefit candidates for whom tho elector did not wish to vote. (Applause.) Mr. C. B. Norwood was the subjcqt of some highly appreciative remarks by tho chairman, who said that this coyjl- - had done splendid work for the city at great personal loss. He had retired from tho Mayoral contest, in which he had held a strong position in n snirit of personal sacrifice, and he was now offering himself for a subordinate position. Mr. Norwood, in a brief speech, explained why he thought the power station .ought to go to Evans Bav. The mistake that had been made when tho station was placed in Harris Street ought not to be perpetuated. The growth of the city was going to necessitate the frequent enlargement of the ■power station, and his own observations hi various parts of tho world had convinced him that a steam plant would be required to supplement the hydroi wi sunolv Mr. Norwood mentionS Ct tMt he was also a candidate for ti e Harbour Board. He behoved that on the administration of the por L^, e ' nended the future progress of the citj. F ir r W H. Bennett said that if hiJ 1 work for the city during the , , veers did not commend itself " the electors, nothing that he could „ay would be likely to make much difference. He proceeded to discuss the housing problem, and advocated strongly i be 'manufacture of brieksf rom the ma (mini available in abundance on the Town Belt. No private concern would think of neglecting such an asset. Ilans had been prepared and the works could be erected as soon as money was made available. He was disappointed that there had been delay. . Mr T Forsyth spoke briefly in commondation of Mr. J. M. Dale, who was

absent from the meeting. Mr. Forsyth proceeded to discuss city finance and to reply to criticism. He expressed the opinion that the tramway system was working on far too narrow a margin and that the reserve and renewal funds were not adequate. The peak of the high prices fortunately had been passed. Mr. Forsyth mentioned the electrical department and the milk supply department, and said that the councillors were to be commended for careful and prudent administration in the past. He believed it was not intended to increase the rates next year.

Mr. J. Burns, Mr. S. H. Underwood, and Mr. A. W. Parton were the other speakers. They stated their policies briefly and expressed the hope that they would be included by the electors in a victorious "blue ticket.” The chairman, in closing the proceedings, asked the electors to remember the name of Mr. J. M. Dale, who was unavoidably absent from the city, but was on the "blue ticket." He mentioned also .Mr. Meadowcroft. He invited tho electors to support the whole ticket, which represented the best selection that the united electors’ associations of Greater Wellington had been able to make. The chairman asked the meeting to carry a vote expressing appreciation of tho work of the retiring Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, M.P.), and Mrs. Luke. The vote was carried by acclamation.

MR. HICKEY’S CAMPAIGN Mr. P. H. Hickey concluded his campaign last evening, when addresses were delivered in the Masonic Hall, Berhampore, and at Ghuzneo Street. In the course of these addresses Mr. Hickey stated that Labour had done its best to concentrate the campaign upon tho issues of the day, and he hoped that on the morrow, when tho electors went to the poll, they would vote for policies and principles dealing with the government of tho city, rather. than be led astray by some catch-cry or misrepresentation. Mr. Dickey, referred to a statement which had appeared. to the effect that the Labour candidates signed their resignations, and placed them in the keeping of the local Labour Representation Committee. Mr. Hickey said that this was quite untrue, as neither tho Labour Representation Committee nor any other organisation had ever asked for such an undertaking. Mr. Hickey reviewed the platform of the Labour party, and that there was not ii plank in it which their opponents could logically ' oppose. It made for good government, and advocated such reforms as would make the lot of the people infinitely better than it was at the present time. Labour’s housing, tramway, coal, marketing, baths, land values taxation, and all other reforms covered by the platform, were so urgently needed that any council elected which did not attempt effectively to handle them oould only stand for stagnation, and stagnation when the city should progress was not desirable. Mr. Hickey said that he felt that the vote polled for Labour would show that the citizens as a whole desired progress and were tired of the domination of the city by vested interests. COUNCIUCANDIDATES

Mr. S. H. Underwood, who spoke last night at the Town Hall, stated that he favoured the tabulation of works required to be done by the council in tho order of their relative importance to the community as a whole. He did not'Considor the time was opportune to embark on tho beginning of tho loan schedule of works, but ihe most important should bo taken in hand iJt'st as soon as opportunity permitted. He advocated a. business manager for the Hospital Board and the purchasing of all supplies, stores, and equipment by tender afttir comparison with tho best buying prices obtaining as held by the responsible Government Department.. The council should be well represented on the Hospital Board, to have a solid say in that body’s finance. He emphasised that both bodies needed good committee workers, as in committee most of the real work was done. He had the time and inclination for the work, and .promised his best attention, if elected. He was not tied to any organisations or their principles. Mr. Dunbar Sloane addressed a meeting- of electors at Karori last evening. Mr. I. Sykes was in the chair. Tho candidate'exhorted the electors to choose wisely, and select men who would give their best ability to furthering the progross of tho city, with that particular regard to expenditure that might be found necessary in view of the present conditoin of the money market. I am not one,” said the candidate, tc stand before you and ask for a passport to the council chambers by making extravagant promises, but as a citizen who recognises the growth that must take place within our municipality, I would not adviso electors to be parsimonious. Plans must be wisely laid to cons with municipal enterprise and expansion. The present was a time when extra care should be exercised by the electors, and the same need for care was incumbent upon whatever new council was elected. He assured the electors that his most careful consideration would be given all matters that had to be dealt with. Where reproductive works could be efficiently organised, the difficulties of finance could be minimsied. _ Ihe candidate spoke on tramway efficiency, municipal milk supply, and municipal distribution, good permanent roads, rest- • rooms for women and children, and children’s playgrounds. Ur, G. 11. Baylis spoke at St. Hilda’s Hall,’ Island Bay, last night. Mr. J. 0. Shetland as voted to the chair. In introducing Mr. Baylis he said that most of tho residents knew Mr. Baylis, who had done great work for the city and deserved their support. Mr. Baylis eaid that his desire in seeking election was for the advancement of the district and the city generally. He wanted to see the tramway department reorganised so that passengers could travel with more comfort; a better result from tho housing scheme, with cheaper houses and better access; a bettor system of milk delivery; more children’s playgrounds and bathing sheds. He appealed to the electors to use their votes in selecting good business and practical men. Mr. Len M'Kenzie, with others, addressed a full meeting at Karori last night. Ho warned all present to select the best fifteen candidates standing in order to keep this city foremost in municipal government in New Zealand. He strongly advocated the need of unity in city transport control, giving reasons for his arguments. 110 stressed the need' for an improved method of city purchases and a controller of stores. He supported a reorganisation of the staff with defined duties to enable tho city engineer to give his attention to the large subjects -facing the city of the lU Mr. e ' B. G. H. Burn addressed the electors at Karori last night. _ He dwelt on tramway matters, and said he hao always been in favour of cheap lares to the suburbs, and on many occasions had fought for them in tho council lie believed that Karori was Jestniod to become tho garden suburb of w . elh "F’ ton, and if elected would do all in his power to further the interests of Karori, always bearing in mind tho interests of the city as a whole. Good roads and transport were an essential, and the pre sent system of horse-drawn vehicles used by the council must be supers<xl(h! by motor-drawn vehicles. Mr. Bur also touched on the matters of ctaldrer. parks, milk supply, tramways, and Karori. Mr. T. Buckley stated that a Cheap supply of electnr . l ‘ > would largely stimulate the use trical power in industry. ihe G° vol ' ment indicated recently that mates for the North Island of A'-™ 3 ’™ o would fconsidei'ably 'exceed £10,000,0W. implying, considerably higher charges. The cost of tho Evans Bay scheme, plus capital charges of existing power sta-

tions, would reach £700,000, greatly loading tho cost of power to consumers. Unnecessary charges should not be> incurred. Dunedin last year had a tram way credit balance of £9OOO. and previous year one of £14,000, whale t credit balances for the electric power and lighting department for those years were £20,000 and £lB,OOO. Energy was sold there at rates Wellington could not look at. Cheap power supply, therefore, should greatly aid tho tramway fare situation here, and the city should be ready to use the power at the earliest moment. Many considerations Ported to tho need of a general independent review of the city engineer s proposals, and Mri Birks’? comments thereon for the electrical "stand-by” plant of the C 1 Addressing a meeting of employees at Miramar gasworks yesterday, Air. L. Vine, a candidate for the City Council and Hospital Board, maintained his right to he regarded as a workingman s candidate, and stated that he was the grandson of one of the pioneers of the eight-hour movement in Australia. He ’himself had a personal association with much of tho advanced Labour legislation of tho Dominion, having been a member of the executive of the Otago Typographical Association, and a member of the first Dunedin Labour Demonstration Committee, organised by the unions affiliated with the Otago Trades and labour Council to observe Labour Day. Tho day had gone, ho said, when only men of independent means should be elected to Mhe highest municipal offices. Ths candidate concluded his. election campaign at Karori last evening, when he made special reference to those questions that were of particular interest to residents in the outlying districts. He advocated the application of the principle of preferential voting at municipal elections, and the extension of the privilege of workers’ ’tramway concession tickets to include 9 o’clock workers. Mr. P. Fraser presided over a large open air meeting at Ghuzneo Street last evening, when Messrs. R. M’Keen, R. IL Stickney, W. T. Young, J. Glover, I’. H. Hiokey, and Mrs. Snow addressed the electors' in support of tho Labour , ' |