LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Grey River Argus, 11 May 1944, Page 4

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

LABOUR CANDIDATES

Aims and Objects

The Westland Labour Representation Committee take pleasure in presenting the following outline of Labour’s policy in connection with tne forthcoming elections: — A policy designed to give a maximum service to the people now ana in the future is essential. The that Local Bodies will have to piay in the post-war years will entail grave responsibilities, and the need for these bodies to be controlled by men who will deal sympathetically with such questions as rehabilitation, housing, development of industries, etc. must be apparent to all thinking people. The policy of drift must be arrested. This can be done by electing men who will demand full value for the huge amount of rates, etc., collected. Labour candidates, if elected, are pledged to devote all their energies to the bodies they represent. BOROUGH COUNCIL. Can any sane person claim that our streets, footpaths, water supply and drainage are all they should be or could be? We believe the time has come when much improved management is urgently needed. The main outlines of Labour’s policy .are as under:— (1) A more efficient system of street maintenance and improvements. (2) The Borough water supply to be investigated with a view to better pressure at hwu levels, and the main to be extended to all parts of the town to minimise fire risks. (3) That the State Advances Corporation proposals for the erection of workers’ homes at reasonable prices be given the utmost consideration by the new Council. (4) Complete renovation of the Town Hall with the provision for a suitable room for a children’s library. Decent accommodation for the caretakers. The possibilities, to be explored of having an electrical-ly-driven clock erected at the Town Hall.

(5) Area playing grounds for children, plus provision for a Youth Centre and Gymnasium in the vicinity of the swimming baths. (6) Advocacy of a costing system for the purpose of assessing costs of maintenance, improvements, etc., for any one job; and estimates for new works, thereby obtaining greater co-operation between works and finance departments. Also that efficient machinery be provided for all borough departments so that maximum results be obtained at minimum cost, and that a closer watch be kept on stocks, which are just as important as cash. (7) That every endeavour be made to give the employees a greater interest in their jobs by having representatives on Department Efficiency Committees, thus obtaining the benefits of their knowledge and experience. It has been found that where such committees function greater co-operation has been obtained with direct benefits to all. (8) Co-operation between the Council and Harbour Board in all aspects of harbour improvements. (9) That the Council co-operate in the most sympathetic manner with the Government in all phases of rehabilitation, and take all steps necessary to assist our servicemen on their return from the fighting fronts. . ,

POWER BOARD. With reference to the Power Board We advocate efficient services to all consumers in town and country; that there be no building up of reserves and balance beyond reasonable limits; and that any surplus be returned to consumers by way of cheaper power rates. The Labour policy of setting efficiency committees also applies to the Power Board. We further advocate the exploring of the possibilities of the Power Board assuming control of all lighting anq power sources of supply in the district. Realising the tremendous growth of the board’s business and huge turn-over, the question of waste may become a serious problem, and we .advocate a close watch be kept on all stores and materials used. HOSPITAL’ BOARD. Our policy with regard to the Hospital Board is:— (1) The welfare of the patients must be the first consideration. (2) Promotion of education and recreation facilities for the staff. (3) That all avenues be explored for the improvement of (a) ambulance services; (b) out-patients services; (c) training of staff; (d) Social Security services; (e) amenities for patients, especially children. HARBOUR BOARD. Labour re-affirms the policy expounded by the chairman of the Board, Mr J. B. Kent, in his report on harbour affairs. Finally, our attitude regarding all local bodies is that any member of the public should be invited to sub-' mit proposals concerning the welfare of the community, and the efficient management of any particular board or body .and that such proposals should receive very, earnest consideration.