THE MAYORALTY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 152, 24 March 1925, Page 6

THE MAYORALTY

MR. G. MITCHELL RETIRES FROM CONTEST TO TAKE UP A BUSINESS APPOINTMENT RELEASED BY THE CIVIC LEAGUE A meeting of tlig Civic League Candidates Selection Committee held last evening was presented with a problem bv the receipt of a Jctter from Mr. G. Mitchell and a short report made by the chairman and secretary. Tlte letter is given in full below, and explains the situation which has arisen. Very serious consideration was given to the matter, after which the following motion was carried:—

That this committee with much regret decides to release Mr. Mitchell from the obligation he had made with it in respect to the Mayoralty, in view of the circumstances which have arisen. Further reports were made by the officials, having reference to further possible candidates. It was agreed by all present that the new situation required to be fully reviewed, which could not be done completely at that meeting. It was decided that a statement of tile position be given to the Press; that a further meeting be called for Monday, March 30, to review the matter of a selection for the Mayoralty, and that the committee will consider the claims of any nominee who endorses the principle that the Mayor elected ehall not seek Parliamentary honours. Mr. Mitchell’s Letter. Following is a copy of Mr. Mitchell's letter to the Civic League:— “The Secretary, Civic League, Wellington.

“Dear Sir, —Since I announced my candidature for the Mayoralty, which action your committee endorsed, circumstances have arisen which I am bound to put before you. A well-known firm in the city has offered me the position of manager at a very considerable salary, but, while the directors are agreeable to allow me to be a candidate for the Harbour Board and the City Council, and thereby take my share in the public life of the city, they naturally and rightly feel that, were I elected (which, with the endorsement of the Citizens’ Committee and Ratepayers’ Associations throughout the city and suburbs, is assured), I would desire to concentrate my time on the business of the city, and could not properly carry out the . duties of Mayor and the Responsibilities of manager of their business at the same time. They therefore make their offer conditional on my not being a candidate for the office of Mayor, which means that I must either give up the Mayoral Campaign or sacrifice the responsible and permanent position which they offer me.

“In the’ ordinary course I would accept the offer made without hesitation, but my conscience is not clear. I owe a duty to your committee, to those who are supporting me so loyally, to the people, and to the city, and therefore place the matter frankly and fully before yon.

“If your committee are of opinion that I may accept this offer without breaking faith, kindly inform me. If, on the other hand, they are of opinion that I atn creating an awkward position, and that in the interests of the city they desire me to go on with my candidature for Mayor, please say so and I will sacrifice' the offer made and commence the campaign at once.

“I wish again to impress on the committee that if in their • opinion I am honourably obliged to go on I will sacrifice anything rather than dishonour any obligation I owe to the people who have so loyally supported me in the past. I leave the decision entirely in your hands.—Yours faithfully, (Signed), Geo. Mitchell.”

SOME “TICKETS” ANNOUNCED The Civic League’s nominees for the Harbour Board and Hospital Board, decided at a special meeting held last evening, are as follows: — FOR HARBOUR BOARD. G. Mitchell. C. J. B. Norwood. 1 H. D. Bennett. Captain Mclndoe. FOR THE HOSPITAL BOARD. F. Castle. . W. Appleton. Rev. Dr. T. K. Elliott. Rev. H. Van Stavereu. G. Petherick. C. M. Luke. Mrs. A. McVicar. Duncan Campbell. J. DI. Bertram. Major E. Vine. F. H. Bikewell. J. H. Halliwell. F. Bennett. Mrs. Boden. The league’s "ticket” for the CityCouncil will be decided at a later date. /