THE MAYORALTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1912, Page 3

THE MAYORALTY.

MR. R. A. WRIGHT'S POSITION ' ADDRESS AT NEWTOWN*

Mr.' R. A. Wright opened hiß campaign as candidate for the Mayoralty of Wellington at the Library, Newtawn, last evening. Theie wae at Iho opening an attendance of about 300. Th«>sa figures were augmented as the meeting proceeded. Mr. Win. Higginboltom was iv the chair. Mr. Wright lefcrred in hie openint: to Mr. Wilford's retirement. Had that gentleman been a candidate Mr. Wright thought he would not have- been opposed. Several prominent citizens batl been approached, but they had, for reasons of their own, declined. He thousfhfc it was a great pity that such an important post as that of tho Chief Magistrate of a, city liko Wellington should go a-begging. However, as ther« seemed at firet to be a dearth of can didates, he thought he would" come i'or< ward. He claimed the serious consideration of the electors ac a- candidate, inasmuch as he had had some experience in public life in Wellington, and he had, too. a general knowledge of tho city of Wellington and its requirements. He had had no municipal experience, it was true ; but then some of the very ablest men^who had ever served as 'Mayor of Wellington had had no municipal experience of Wellington. He mentioned MeeKrs. H. D. Bell, John Duthie, J. G. W. Aitkeu, Hons. T. W. Hislop, C. M. Luke, and C. J. Johnston, and the late Mr. Wm.'Hutcliinson. He regarded Mr. Aitken as the ablest Mayor Wellingtonhad ever had. There was, he contended, no valid objection to his election as Mayor, because he had not had>previous municipal experience. A STRONG MAN WANTED. A strong man, devoted to the duties of his office, was a prime qualification forthe occupant of the Mayoral chair in Mr. Wright's view. He should ako be absolutely impartial, one endowed with business capacity, common-sense, and tact. There might be other qualifications which electors might add for themselves. There was, indeed, a crying need for a strong man, and one who should have tuna to attend to lib office and go into all matters, even details, so that- Tie would -have a firm knowledge of the city. Impartiality was most % essential, considering the great extent and difference in character of the various paxts of the city. Impartiality in the Mayor was a prime necessity in regard to the employees of the City Council — already a. large army. A man to fill such a position must have- special business gifts to deal with what was, in a. Gense, a, vast business undertaking having very little competition — none indeed, but the Gas Company, competing in the supply of light and power. FINANCIAL POSITION. Touching on finance, Mr. Wright said the indebtedness «f the city was £1,986,174; but it had splendid assets against that liability. They were, in deed, far and away in excess of the liabilities. So there was nothing to fear with regard to the liability of the city considering what the citizens had had for the money and the assets now in its nands. He paid a high tribute to the foresight of the pioneer City Fatheis. In 1913 a large number of the reclaimed leases would fall into the hands of the City Council, but they would bo released at a. greatly enhanced rental, co that the citizens would reap the benefit of the forethought of the earlier City Councils. He instanced a lease returning £30 ground rent per annum that .would in 1913 be worth £200 per annum. As the years rolled by the Corporation would become more and more wealthy. PROGRESS WITH CAUTION. He advocated a policy of progress with caution: ifo increase of rates, profitable employment of all waste lands, improvement of reserves and playing grounds, and beautification of tho Town Belt. The appointment of a Tramway Board was a sound step, in which he heartily concurred. He hoped it would have a fair and square deal. (Applause.) Speaking of the future, he thought they would have some slight monetary stringency in New Zealand this year, due in part to the dislocation of tra.de through the great coal strike in the United Kingdom. He did not think things would be so acute as in 1908-9, but then there was at the moment every reason for the exercise of the strictest caution in municipal administration. When rates were increased the consumer might rely upon it they would be passed on 'by the retailer on his goods and the tenant on his rent. OPEN SPACES. The corporation should utilise the old train ehed site, which was now lying idle. It might be leased to sports bodies, for example. It would then bring in some revenue. Possibly a better suggestion might be made, but at anyrate his point was that the waste lands should be put to profitable account. Money spent on reserves was not altogether wasted, substantial as the euin expended on upkeep was. He was in favour of proceeding steadily, so far as money would allow, of pushing on uncompleted reserves and playgrounds. Why should not the council devote some time in different parte of th© Town Belt ? It wonld not cost much. But it greatly enhanced the beauty of the city, which, was not so ugly as, say, Aucklanders and other visitors would make out. The bare hills should be beautified. If he were returned he would endeavour to conduct the affairs of tho city on sound lines and without waste. Waste was of no good to the worker or anyone else, and so he laid great emphasis on a policy of no waste. Speaking on miscellaneous matters, Mr. Wright suggested that the citizens should be induced to privately subscribe to the Zoo. Wealthy citizens who had made huge fortunes in Wellington should be encouraged to contribute to the Zoo. As for the Gas Company, he failed to see how the purchase of that property could be effected by the city, as the purchase- could only be made by agreement of both parties. For the present the best policy was. for the City Council to compete with the Gas Company, as it was doing by its electric light and Ipower plant. SUPERANNUATION. There were 1327 employees of the corporation receiving £*4080 in wages weekly, and so he believed, with this large body of employees, the question of superannuation ehould be thoroughly gone into. If Teturned he would see that that was done. Constable-street tram-line should be linked up with Kilbirnie. He was convinced now, as he had always been, that if that connection were 'made ifc would pay its own way — in fact, be a. profitable undertaking. The questions of connecting Vogeltown with the Wallac«»treet line, the duplication of the WillLsstreet line, and the Keiburne-Karori connection would have to be considered. Wellington occupied a pro-eminent position in Now Zealand. * Whatever might be said about the city, the harboui was beyond reproach, 'it had made Wellington th© centre of business in the Dominion. (Applause.) QUESTIONS ANSWERED. Replying to questions, Mr. Wright raid the council was considering the extension of ths tramway* to Hataitai, via. Hawkw-fitrtet,. ill 29344 _&£_>, very.

costly matter to enlarge the Pirie-Etreet tunnel for the convenience of Hataitai residents. He would favour the election of Mayor for two years. Reasonable reductions should be made in the cost of electric light if it could be done at a profit. He would not have the Basin Reserve traversed by trams unless there was a near-by adequate reserve made available. If a fair deal could be struck he favoured the acquisition of the gasworks. The Newtown Library Hall should not be turned into a museum 111 the absence of any other suitable hall in Newtown. A vote of thanks and confidence was accorded the candidate*