CITY MAYORALTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1944, Page 4

CITY MAYORALTY

MR. HISLOP ASKED TO STAND

DECISION RESERVED

Asked yesterday by a deputation to offer himself again as a candidate for the Wellington Mayoralty in May, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop reserved his decision, stating that he would await the announcement of the Wellington Batepayers' candidate, and would not in any case finally offer himself again as Mayor unless the decision was that of the general body of citizens, and not merely his own. Colonel R. St. J. Beere headed the deputation and read the following letter from Colonel C. H. Weston, who is absent from Wellington:—"l am sorry I cannot be present with the deputation to request Mr. Hislop to give his services to the city for another term as Mayor, but. I should like him to know that I welcome the hope that he may accept the office once more. There are difficult times ahead of us socially and economically, and I am sure the great majority of burgesses who voted for him at his last contested election feel a change of leadership at this time to be unwise. As an old personal friend I add my persuasion to the deputation's." Colonel Beere said that the letter reflected the sentiments of all present. As Mayor, Mr. Hislop had had a long and arduous period --of service. He had guided the destinies of the city through the slump and the period of recovery, and had with thoroughness carried out the duties of chairman of the Centennial Exhibition. He had met all war calls with courage and devotion to duty. During his term of office more major developments had taken place and .more appeared in view than m any similar period. He was primarily responsible for arresting the financial drift which had set in when he assumed office, he had brought about a reduction of the city's debt, and had kept down the rates which were under the council's control. His work in civil defence had been unsurpassed, while his patriotic work would never be forgotten. By him outstanding impressions had been made on many distinguished visitors, and in all these things he had had the help of his wife. He asked him to carry on till the war was over. Other speakers also paid tribute to Mr. Hislop's services to the city. THE MAYOR'S REPLY. Expressing appreciation of the deputation's tribute. Mr. Hislop said it was true that he had had the confidence of citizens for a long time. It had certainly been an arduous period for Mrs. Hislop and himself, when to ordinary Mayoral activities were added the creation and operation of civil defence and multifarious duties in patriotic bodies. They had had loyal supporters. He appreciated the spirit of their request. He had never had any desire to be Mayor purely for the sake of being Mayor, and instead of clinging to office, as he had indeed said at the last election, he would be only too glad to be free of it when his war job was done. He did not intend to say that he would be a candidate in any event and against all comers, and so, by a threat of vote splitting or by anyother means, try to force his candidature upon the electors or any electoral organisation. Such an attitude, he thought, would be an arrogant defiance of the public interest and democratic principles. His attitude remained that, if there was a general desire that he should stand again, then whatever were his personal desires, it would be his clear duty in the conditions of war that still existed that he should comply with such a request, but the decision must be that of the general body of the electors and not of himself. He proposed to reserve his decision a little longer. The Ratepayers' Association and its associations would meet shortly, and he would like to know their views before he gave his decision.