MUNICIPAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 13

MUNICIPAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Points from Candidates’ Speeches Four public meetings were held last evening in connection with the approaching election for the Wellington City Council, Hospital Board and Harbour Board. Labour candidates were the only speakers. At Newtown an open-air meeting attracted a fairly large gathering. There were five speakers. Another large street meeting was held in Garrett Street, where six candidates spoke, and several Labour nominees addressed an assembly at Kilbirnie. The fourth meeting was held in the Khandallah Hall.

Limit to Economy There should be no question of economy at the expense of the patieut, said Mr. C. L. Hunter. He said that if the Labour candidates were returned, they would see that the dental clinics were opened up to the public, and other facilities given to poor patients. Reduction of Rates As a candidate for a seat on the City Council, Mr. I’. Hoskins said he was not prepared to give pledges, but would do his best on behalf of ratepayers to safeguard their interests. He was strongly iu favour of a reduction in rates and was of opinion that close supervision of the various departments of the City Council was needed in order to check waste and over-lapping. The speaker considered the relief of unemployment should be a national not a local responsibility. Fees and Hospitals Mr. F. 11. Bass (Hospital Board) dealt with the administration of the hospital and the annual expenditure of the Hospital Board. He contended that business methods had to be brought into the board’s administration, otherwise there would be waste. He considered that on hospital boards it was necessary to have men accustomed to figures, and that they should be composed of men of varying qualifications. Necessity for obtaining the maximum amount of revenue from hospital endowments was also stressed, Absence of Graft In the opinion of Mr. W. 11. Bennett (City Council), if his eighteen years’ service to the city did not weigh with his audience, nothing tie could say from the platform would. He was proud to say there was a total absence of graft in the City Council, where all members realised that they were there to serve their city. Mr. .Bennett held the view that actions speak louder than words, and said that that was the reason be spoke so little at council meetings. He preferred instead to get things done. Closing of Wards While no one would dispute that economy was necessary at the present time, it was a mistake to practice economy bv closing down three wards at the hospital, said Mrs. G. P. Williams (Hospital Board). The effect of this economy reform had beep that not ouly bud nurses and attendants been thrown out of work, but sick people had been unable to be admitted as there was no room for them. The proposed reduction of the medical superintendent’s salary was another mistake, as no man gave of his best when working for low wages. Citizens’ Power Citizens did not realise the power in their bauds, for they had the power to create or extend social services and could pledge the credit of the city to obtain loans for such purposes, said Mr. J. Tucker (City Council i. He bad said that he did not think the rates could be reduced for two or three jcars, ami now the electors were told that if Labour got. into power they would squander the rates indiscriminately. He did not think there was a i inn on the Labour ticket who was so devoid of economic sense as, to squander the ratepayers’ money. Surplus or Defiait? That the surplus of £2-1,000 revealed by the City Council in its budget, was a bogus one. as it had been obtained bv borrowing was the view expressed by Mr. J. 11. Collins (City Council). He claimed lliat if the Labour candidates were returned, they would show a surplus without borrowing. There were many ways in which municipal economies could be effected. It was the Labour view that the tramways were being run wrongly, and were not being co-ordinated with the buses as they should be. Economy and Spending criticising the claim that bud been made of a surplus of £24,090 on the jear’s working. Mr. -I. Bobertsou (City Council) urged that the object of the City Council administration should be service, not. profit. It did not follow that it was economy not to spend money. It was not economy fo reduce the rates if it: meant the sacking of more employees and increasing the ranks of relief workers. For every threepence paid by tlie workers in rut’s it meant 1/- to be paid by the. owners of larger properties who did not support Labour. Ho believed that it should be possible for every housewife to have those services which would relieve her of Hie drudgery of the household. - Essential Works Mr. B. McKeeu, M.L’. (City Council) expressed the opinion that there were any number of essential works which could be put. in hand in Wellington to provide employment for hundreds of men. Of works which the City Council could undertake be instanced permanent tar-sea ling and paving of macadam roads, access to the western, suburbs, and tin additional water supply for the city. If the Government. City Council, ami other local bodies Interested would combiim. he said, another outlet from the city via the western coast could he constructed, and would ho a great boon to llie city should a major earthquake occur. It was the Labour policy to provide permanent employment, mid lie made an appeal for the return of the Labour candidates, in order that they could give effect to that policy. Co-operation Needed .Mr. S. Natusch (City Council) referred to the suggestion by a candidate that an advisory committee be set up to help the council in its deliberations.-He agreed that it was a good idea: but why, he said, set up two councils? The danger of putting men to do unproductive Jobs on relief works was pointed out. mid the speaker thought that the relief funds could be much better used than

they are at the moment. In Wellington’ Mr. Natusch said, were many unsafe buildings, which could in most instances be made absolutely safe with the expenditure of a small sum. 'This would provide employment for a number of men. The need for co-operation was stressed, the speaker contending that it tended to give far fuller benefit than sectional interests. Labour’s Aim Mr. A. Black (City Council) said that the Labour Party’s policy was a progressive one. The attitude of the present council was consistent with that of the Coalition Government. "If you want lower wages and more deplorable conditions, vote for the Civic League and Ratepayers’ candidates," he said. Better Community Life The opinion that bud Labour been supported years ago there would be a better community life was expressed by Mr. T. Brindle (City Council). The people had now an opportunity of sending Labour members to the council, and lie hoped that they would avail themselves of it. The Mayor, lie said, had stated that the council had shown a surplus of £24,000 but that was made up by taking £lO,OOO from tho electricity department. Relief Rations Though the three Labour members on the Hospital Board had been responsible for having relief rations varied, there was still room for improvement, said Mrs. Lucy Gibson (Hospital Board). She maintained that fresh milk was an essential for young children, but it could only be obtained now in cases of sickness, and for children under three years of age. If returned, she would make it her business to sec that the ration list was revised in a more sensible manner. Official Administration A tribute to the officers administering the affairs of the city was paid by Mr. I’, SI. Butler (City Council), who said that as secretary to the General Labourers be came more in touch with council officials than most people. From the highest to the lowest, with few exceptions, the officers formed a great organisation, and most, efficient. He could not speak too highly of the town clerk. Mr. E. I’. Norman. Mr. Butler proceeded to criticise city expenditure, saying money had been squandered. He quoted the aerodrome as an example, saying thousands of pounds had been spent ou it, although au expert had said that Miramar would never be Ct for an aerodrome. A public meeting will be held in the : Wadestown Parish Hall this evening by Messrs. R. Semple, M.P., R. McKeeu, M.V., and C. H. Chapman, M.P.. candidates for the City Council. Mrs. J. Fraser, candidate for the Hospital Board, will also speak. Women candidates for the Hospital Board who arc supported by the Labour Parly will speak at. the Trades Hall on Monday afternoon. Further details of Ihe meetings arc advertised in this issue. KARORI ACCESS The Universal Fare "The average elector has a short memory.’’ said Mr. John Burns, candidate for the City Council, in discussing yesterday instances in which the council Had catered for the public wish iu the prist. Mr. Bums said that for many years as a resideut of Karori lie had felt that suburban residents were paying 100 much for tram transport. He had fought out the matter until the adoption of tho universal fare. Should he be re-elected, be would in the interests of Karori fight for a shorter connection with the city centre. Residents of Karori, who were alive to the progress of that area, would recollect the big works which had been undertaken by the City COtiueil. Dryden’s Corner was an instance of improvement. A REAL SURPLUS Mr. Meadowcroft’s View Support for I lie Mayor’s claim that Ihe City Council had shown a I rue surplus of £24,000 was given yesterday by Mr. F. Meadowcroft, chairman of the reserves committee of the retiring council, and again a candidate. Mr. Meadowcroft said a Labour candidate had quite unfairly staled Hint the. balance was merely a ‘-paper’’ surplus. After a year of great: difficulty, the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, had turned a deficiency into a surplus, and the municipality hud carried a large number of unemployed men at the same time. Mr, Meadowcroft said he believed II would he possible to use the surplus to assist the rates next year. The Mayer had adopted a conservative policy, and he wauled a good team in tho now council fo aid Idm. CITY REVALUATION Present Council’s Efforts "There Is no stronger supporter for a revuluatiou of Wellington Ilian myself,” said Mr. It. A. Huggins in a statement yesterday. He said he had seconded a motion moved by the Mayor in its favour, and lie considered that candidates who were urging so strongly for a revaluation would know, if they studied civic affairs, thill. Hie City Council had already officially asked Hie revaluation department to make the new valuation. Those who were advocating the Sydney Street route to Karori. Mr. Huggins said, ought to be aWure lliat the present council had approved the route and it had been held up only because the Government bad refused to issue an Order-in-Council authorising trams to go past Parliament House. Mr. Huggins said that be had aecmupanled the Mayor on more than one occasion to urge upon the Prime Minister the necessity of giving bls coui sent. He would continue to support the principle of bettor means of access to the western suburbs.