THE MAYORALTY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 94, 20 April 1912, Page 5

THE MAYORALTY.

CITIZENS' LEAGUE'S ATTITUDE. TO THE EDI'IOI, Sir, — Somo misconception appears to be abroad in regard to the action of the Citizens' League in its election of Mr. John Smith (the present Acting-Mayor) as a candidate for the Mayoralty. I should like, with, your permission, to acquaint the public with the true position. When the question of selecting a candidate was under consideration, several names were brought up, and at the beginning Mi 1 . John Smith was approached and asked whether, in the event of either Mr. J. *G. W. Aitken or Couftj cillor Shirtcliffe consenting to stand, would he stand down. He replied that he would. As your readers are aware, both these gentlemen found it impossible to offer their services. It was mentioned in the Press that Mr. Biss had been approached by a deputation. I called to see him the same day to ascertain if he was likely to come out. He explained that his business was a personal one, and that he was a busy man, and gave other good personal reasons for not standing. He told mo he was leaving by the Main Trunk for Auckland, and would think the matter over on the journey, and telegraph on Monday morning in time for the meeting of the League. His telegram came as follows : — "Posted letter last night. Clear your box to-night. Ie there any chance Citizens' contributing expenses';" I postponed iho meeting till the following morning, so as to receive the letter. I placed the telegram and letter befortf the League, and after full discussion the League decided to support Mr. Smith,on the ground that we could not again ask him to stand down in favour of anyone, owing to his undoubted claims through his long and faithful services to the city. Mr. Rise's announcement of his candidature came as a great surprise to the League and others who knew the position. Mr. Wright had been interviewed ac to his standing down in Mr. Smith's favour prior to Mi 1 . Bise's announcement, and he promised us an' answer in three or four days. When we waited on him after the Easter holidays, he said he could not see his way -to do it now that Mr. Biss was standing. We invited Mr. Bies. to our meeting to discuss the question, and he promised to consider it. The following morning, Mr. Smith having returned, I arranged for the three to meetj and after discussion, neither Mr. Biss nor Mr. Wright could see his way to 6tand down. Another section of the community also waited upon the candidates to see if any arrangements could be arrived at, but without avai|. , The League's action was in no way a hasty one, and the matter was delayed day after day; in fact, co long as to seriously interfere with Mi. Smith's early commencement of his campaign. Again the League's efforts were directed, viz. : 1. lo secure the best possible representation. 2. To protect the city from representation by a delegate from one particular class of the inhabitants. Should the result of the election be the return of a class representative, it should be made clear to the public that the responsibility rests upon Mr. Biss, and if he has the interest of the city at heart, as he claims to have, he will recognise the necessity for his retirement, even at the eleventh hour. Mr. Biss is a young man, and if he retires and comes forward next year, I feel sure that his chances of election then will be a practical certainty ; especially if he adopted the suggestion made ta him at the meek ing of the executive- that he should stand for tie vacancy on the council caused by the elevation of Mi. Smith. Trusting you will find 6pace to put these facts before your readers. — I am, etc, ■ THOMAS BALLINGER, President Citizens' League. 19th, ApriL MR. BISS'S REPLY TO MR. BALLINGER As a matter of fairness, we referred the above letter to Mr. Biss for nis reply. .He states: — "On Friday, the 12th inst., tho papers announced that I had been asked to stand for the Mayoralty. On Saturday morning Mr. Ballinger called at my office, and said that he" was very glad indeed to hear that I was standing, and he would like to know definitely what my answer would be, as the Citizen's League was anxious to 'select which nominee they could support. 1 was just on the point of leaving for Auckland, so told Mr. Ballinger 1 would consider the matter, and let him know on my return on Tuesday evening. At the same time I made it quite clear that I had no desire- to be the ' nominee of the Citizens' League, as I thought that a candidate for the Mayoralty should not ally himself with any particular section of the community. At >that time I did not know much about the Citizens' League, nor did I knotv, till Mr. Ballinger approached me, that he was the president of tho league. "Upon thinking "the matter over and discussing it with my friends, I thought it would be • necessary to ascertain who I would be likely to have as competitors, and accordingly put the question to the league as to whether they were going to contribute to the expenses of their nominee, my object being to ascertain what I would have to expect in the way of expenditure by an opjjgnent. "On my return from Auckland 1 made enquiries as to what was being done, and ascertained that the committee of the Citizens' League had that morning had a meeting, and decided to nominate Mr. Smith. They had a perfect right to do this, as I had given them to understand that if I stood 1 did not wish to be their 1 nominee. Subsequently 1 was invited by Mr. Baliinger to attend a meeting of the executive of the Citizens' League, which I did. I then for the first time ascertained who the executive consisted of, as they had previously been strangers to me. They suggested that I should withdraw from the contest, but I explained to them that I was being supported by such a largo number of people that I could not possiby content to withdraw, and gave as a further reason that withdrawal on my part would be an admission that I approved of any committee of seven men dictating to the public, who should contest the Mayoralty. "Later on! I was asked to meet Mr. Ballinger in the presence of Mr. Smith and Mr. Wright, and I again refused to retire from the contest, and pointed out that 1 did not agree with them that the^ three candidates — namely, Messrs. Smith, Wright, and myself — were necessarily on the same platform, but 1 considered that there was a wide difference of opinion between us on municipal matters, and that I was; prepared to go to the electors with my policy and stand by the result. " Mr. Ballinger having now enlightened the public on what transpired, I consider it is a duty to myself to also explain what each member of the Citizens' League expressed to me, as well as to another gentleman who was supporting me, namely, that they regretted very much that they had selected Mr. Smith, as they consideied that I had better qualifications for the position, and if MrSmith could have been induced to retire they would have supported my candidature, but Mr. Smith, having beun asked Mice to" retire in favour of Mr. Aiikeo and Mr. Shirtclirfe, they did not think it was fair bo ask him again, or they

would have done so. I replied that there was no necessity for asking Mr. Smith to retire, as I saw no reason why we> should not all contest tho election, seeing that our views and qualifications were so wide apart. " Mr. Ballinger states that on© of the league's efforts would be to protect the city from representation from one particular class of the inhabitants. I presume he refers to Mr. M'Laren. Isn't this is a little inconsistent with the action of the Citizens' League in trying to thrust Mr. Smith upon the electors as their representative, seeing that they are themselves 'one particular class of the inhabitants.' "