LABOUR PARTY'S CAMPAIGN

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 8

LABOUR PARTY'S CAMPAIGN

• A largely-attended meeting addressed by Messrs. P. Fraser, M.P., A. L. Monteith, M.P., A. W. Croskery, C. H. Chapman, and Mrs. S., Snow was held in the State School, Island Bay, last night, when Labour's views on various aspects of local body government were further expounded. Mr. Fraser, who is standing for the Mayoralty, devoted considerable attention to the-need for utilising the tramway freight service for transporting coal and timber for building purposes, to the outlying suburbs. He also advocated that all rating should be levied on the unimproved value. Under this system, he pointed out, a house in Eden street,** capital value £1075, and unimproved value £150, would have its rates reduced from £5 11s lOd to £3 5s lid, a reduction of £2 Ss lid. In Cornwall street, a house with a capital value of £730 and an unimproved .value of £150, would have the rates reduced from £4 11s 6d ! to £3 5s lid, a reduction of £1 5s 7d. ! Vacant sections held for speculative purposes, however, would, under the system of rating on unimproved values, have to pay more rates than at present. As an instance, Mr. Fraser said that a vacant section in Overtoun terrace, valued at £150, would have its rates increased from £2 18s to £3 Is 7d, an increase of 3s 7d.

Mr. Monteith dealt with tramway matters and quoted instances where he asserted .that in actual management the presence of tramwaymen on the Tramways Committee of the City Council, as advocated by Labour, would have result- . ed in the saving of a considerable amount of money. Mr. Chapman, who is a candidate for the Hospital Board as well as the City Council, pointed out that by far the largest proportion of fees charged hospital patients for treatment was not being paid. He considered that it would be the most, sensible thing, in view of the comparatively small amount of fees paid, to allow free treatment to be given at the Public Hospital. Mrs. Snow, also a candidate for the Hospital Board, spoke of the work she had been able to accomplish since she had been a member of the board, and emphasised the necessity of having an understanding and capable woman on the board. A number of questions having been answered, a vote of thanks and confidence in the Labour candidates wag carried enthusiastically.

To-night, in the Newtown Library, Messrs. P. Fraser, R. M'Keen, A. L. Monteith, M.P.'s, L. Glover, and W. T. Young will speak. To-night, at Kilbjrnie Post Office, Messrs. P.' Fraser, M.P., A. W. Croskery, L. Glover, J. M'Kenzie, H. Dyson, and C. H. Chapman will address the electors. To-morrow, at noon, Labour candidates will speak at Ghuznee street, and in the evening, at Green street, Veitch arid Allan's corner, Dixon and Bowen streets.

Open-air meetings in connection with the municipal elections will be held in Cambridge terrace, and in Wilson street, Newtown, to-morrow evening. Several of the Civic League candidates will address the electors..