Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1914. THE MAYORALTY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1914, Page 6

Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 30, 1914. THE MAYORALTY

It was whispered recently that Mr. Wilford was pondering the possibilities of a run for the Mayoralty of Wellington. He has not definitely declined to be nominated, but it is understood that he will not be^n the field. The present three candidates, Messrs. Luke, M'Laren, and Holland, are not likely to be worried by other competitors. Mr. Holland, the nomine© of tho Red Federals and Social Democrats, is working hard for votes. Practically, he is asking for the judgment of the Wellington public on the policy of the Red Federation during the strike. It is true that he is flourishing a fantastic platform which promises even more than the new Canterbury Liberal-Labour manifesto does, but the real question is the strike. A vote for Mr. Holland is a vote for the Red Federation. Tltough it is stated that his nomination paper has the backing of eighteen hundred names, it is very doubtful whether the Socialist will poll that number of votes. Outside the Red fold this candidate is not regarded seriously, and the extreme Socialists are a minor power in Wellington. On present signs it seems that this year's contest will be mainly a repetition of last year's— a keen fight between Messrs. Luke and M'Laren. In 1913 Mr. M'Laren had a solid Labour vote, with the addition of a considerable proportion of the Liberal strength. Since then further efforts have been made to establish a working partnership between Labour and Liberalism, and it is probable that many opponents of the Government will strive hard to gain a victory for Mr. M'Laren, not because they are interested in the Mayoralty as such, but because they know the value of such success for the General Election campaign. Supporters of Mr. Luke may imagine that with a division of the Labour vote his return is assured without great effort on their part. Any such thought is a mistake, for the Labour vote may not be remarkably split. Mr. Luke's services of tho past year, especially during the difficult weeks of the strike, have entitled him to a renewal of the people's confidence. He is also interested in a programme of necessary public works, by loan. Some of these have been deferred for several years by lack of funds, but further delay would be false economy. The now municipal year will be an important one lor administrative work, and on that ground, as well as others, Mr. Luke should be preferred to hia challengers. His well-wishers should

recognise at oin-e that the opposing forces will be \ovy active. , People who have any doubt about the presence of their names ci. i!i" roll should settle it promptly, because not much time remains for that duty. After every muni- j cipal election there are complaints ftom people whose grievances are usually due to their own carelessness or neglect.