FOR THE COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 96, 23 April 1921, Page 6

FOR THE COUNCIL

Mr. Dunbar Sloane addressed the electors of Lyall Bay at Church Hall, Freyberg-street, last night. Mr. Ryder occupied the chair. Mr. Sloane emphasised the urgent need of good roads, and compared the policy adopted in various parts of the world to the existing ones here. Transport was a vital question in any growing city, and although the first cost of permanent roads was great, yet it was proved absolutely to be a sound policy. Patchy, piece-meal work was really so much money thrown away. Money spent on good permanent ways was money well spent, and would be welcomed by all right-thinking citizens. Tramway matters were discussed by the candidate, who' after making comparisons with many of the services in the Old Country, especially Glasgow, said he was quite convinced that by a reorganisation of our system under a general manager, with energy and efficiency as his watchword, a substantial reduction in fares could be made to the citizens. The question of the Evans Bay Power Station site was criticised by Mr. Sloane, who quoted from various reports, and proved, the candidate contended, that the proposed spending of £300,000 on the Evans Bay site was not justified. He considered that the first duty of the incoming council should be to re-open the whole matter. Councillor B. G. H. Burn,' speaking at Lyall Bay, explained that the extra cost of labour and materal, brought about by thie war, was the cause of the increased; fares, aa far as the tTamways were concerned. He quoted figures in support of his argument. He commended the work of the Milk Committee, but emphasised' the necessity of the council completing the scheme, and taking over the dfetribution to the householders. The incoming council must be cautious, but it must also be progressive. The city's roads parks, playgrounds, baths, etc., must be second to none in New Zealand, Major E. Vine paid a tribute to the services of the Mayor and councillore during the war period, and pointed out that what was required to-day was not so much criticism of past actions, as a determination to profit by experience iteonomy, he said, was the first fruit of efficiency, and to properly safeguard the resources of the city during the present position of financial stringency it was necessary to eliminate those factors that madie for economic waste of money and energy. To this end he advocated the n°i 'a T", 01* *hat wouW apply to the affairs of the cdty the same mSsure of business ability as was required to successfully carry out any private trading concern He advocated thTnew Wd I %F%£%££*s>& various social services which were « sential to the health of the community?' His remark referred to the tramways, playing; areas, baths, conveniences for men and women etc. An unsatisfactory state of affairs had arisen owing to a lack of vision on the part of previous city councilors. With the dosing of the Thomdon Baths the city was now in the untorturtate position of having only one public bath to meet the retirements ot a population of over 80,000 The speaker also dealt with the necessity for the immediate establishment of municipal markets, and urged that the council should open retafl depots, and thus ensure an adequate and fresh supply of fruit and vegetables to the citizens at a minimum cost. ' Mr. A. W. Croskery (Labour) yesterday spoke strongly against the abolition of the present workers' tickets on the tramways. The concession, he said, should be extended to 9 o'clock workers. The argument that the workers did not desire to take advantage of the rest of tho community by travelling at under cost was merely a "red herring" across the track. At Lyall Bay last night Mr. T. Buckley again opposed the erection of a new power station at Evans Bay. With the prospect now of a reasonably early supply from Mangahao the equipment of a3phase plant at Harrisstreet need not be bo much as was originally proposed for that, or tho Evans Bay site. It was untliinkablo that the Government, aiming to promote tho supply of water power to communities, would slacken development, and thereby mulct consumers in heavy unnecessary charges, and thus defeat th« good effect of the water power

supply, for the vigorous prosecution which the Government was now bci,,. ■ generally applauded. Mr. R. W. Burbidge, an Independent candidate for the council, spoke at Roseneath last night, and stated that the first plank in his platform was good drainage, water supply, and loading for the outlying districts. He referred particularly to the needs of Karori and Wadestown in this respect. He considered that the erection of more conveniences for men and women and public rest-rooms for women and children was imperative, and should receive immediate attention. As a business man, he recognised the necessity for caution and economy as applied to the trading departments of the city, but thought that economies could be effected by better management. After touching on the question of the site for the new powerhouse, Mr. Burbidge expressed it as his opinion that a manager should be appointed to control the Tramway Department solely. Speaking with regard to the Harbour Board, for which Mr. Burbidge is also- a candidate, he advocated the elimination of practically the whole of the casual labour at present employed and the appointment of a large permanent staff, the ultimate effect of which would be a more efficient service at less cost to the community, and at least one body of labour well satisfied with their working conditions. At the close of the meeting, Mr. Burbidge's name was included' in a, vote.of confidence, and the hope expressed that the electors of, Wellington would support him at the poll.