MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Mr V. A. Christensen, in putting his case on behalf of Mr Murphy, the Labour candidate, makes certain statements which certainly can be queried. He gives a lengthy outline of the Labour organisations Mr Murphy has been and still is connected with. Does Mr Christensen really think that being president of a Labour Representation Committee, or secretary of a picnic committee, is a qualification for the Mayoral chair? If ever that was doubtful, it is at the present time. At the last municipal ejections it might have carried weight, but not t-o-day. Why? Because people who were enthusiastic Labour supporters then are writhing under Labour legislation now. Mr Christensen claims that all Labour promises have been carried out. That is not so. When Mr Christensen contested this seat for Parliament against Mr .1. Hodgens in 1922 he stated that, although defeated then, he would start his campaign the following morning. He made that statement from the balcony of the “Manawatu Standard” office on election night, but he broke his promise. By the way, I believe Mr Christensen would have won the seat the following election, for he had a lot of sympathisers in this city through the jostling he received Irom the Labour PartyWell might Mr Christensen exclaim, “1 was wounded in the house of my friends.” Mr Christensen, T intend to be at the “Manawatu Standard” office at about S o’clock on the night of the 17th inst., and just about that time I shall see a tall figure with a very determined chin, wearing a grey overcoat, step out on to the balcony, to thank the electors for returning him to the Mayoral chair, and this shall be none other than Augustus Edward Mansford. —I am. etc.. EX-LABOURITE. Palmerston North, 13/5/41.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent, Ann Kathleen Jacques, has in her mistaken zeal of trying to influence the citizens to vote against Dir Mansford displayed petty spite. She lias certainly lifted the veil when she states a number of prominent citizens failed to show the King’s representative ordinary common courtesy—would it not be disloyalty?— by absenting themselves from a farewell visit paid by Their Excellencies to Palmerston North. However, sir, if the prominent citizens she mentions are those for whom she acts as secretary. then I do not think anyone need feel unduly perturbed. We know there is a section of the public who are looking out for the 0.8.E.’s and in their fervour have pushed aside those who in all other cities of the British Empire head the organisations for all patriotic purposes. Further, she need not trouble about the memories of the Palmerston North citizens. They remember only too well who worked and fought for the unemployed in this city for some years. I suggest, sir, that Dir Mansford has been instrumental in keeping down the rates of this city, and which is most essential in view of the enormous governmental taxation necessary for our war effort. If ratepayers desire to protect themselves they will surely vote Mansford, remembering only too well a vote for Tennent is a vote for Labour.—Yours, etc., WATCHFUL. Palmerston North, 13/5/41.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Mr J. Hodgens in his address at the Labour rally at West End stated that the flood could have been averted had there been sandbags placed at Fitzroy Bend. The ordinary man could be forgiven for making such a statement; bat Mr Hodgens, being a member of the River Board, did he ever suggest such an action to avert a flood breaking through? The statement is too trivial for comment. The time is past when the residents of Hokowhitu can risk their life and property by giving ear to men with such antiquated ideas. ] am not one to criticise without expressing my own opinion. Here it is, what 1 have stated time and again: Start at Fitzroy bend, erect a. concrete bank, not

sand bugs, have at least two dredges between Here and l' oxton during mer, lower the river in the centre. Mr Hodgens thinks a flood scours the river; that is nonsense. Alter a flood the dragline can be kept at Clnids depot lor at least two months in one place which proves that shingle piles | up there, ana does not travel with the ! flood. -Ur Hodgens may think this cxi pensive, but if lie examined tho i Hokowhitu homes he would arrive at | the conclusion that the money would be better spent that way than in many !other socialistic projects. Mr Hodgens | also staled that lie was tired of sit Ling ; under the chairman of our City Council. Well, considering lie could only attend 35 per cent, ol tho meetings, lie could not have suffered much agony, and in concluding his oration he told the electors that if they would nut vote for the four Labour candidates I not to vote for him. I will take Mr j Hodgens s advice. 1 will leave them severely alone, himself included. —1 am, etc., ’ INTERESTED. ■ Palmerston North, 13/5/41. Our correspondent has not read the report carefully. It was the Labour candidate for the Mayoralty who referred to the river erosion, not Mr Hodgens.

(To flic Editor.)

Sir, —Now the time is drawing near for the elections lor Mayor and councillors, may 1 be permitted to air my views as a ratepayer? 1 have read all the letters appearing in your columns on the election for Mayor; few letters deal with the council. First let me say I believe the greatest asset a city can have is its people healthy and contented. Well, if this is true, what s wrong with Mr Mansford? He has always advocated the good of the people and when one asks what has he done wrong, you invariably get the same answer, ‘‘Oh. he has been Mayor for a long time.” Well, so has Mr Hislop, the Mayor of Wellington, who for ten years has served liis city with distinction, and in this respect he has not done any more than Mr Mansiord. After all, what is a successful Mayor? One who has a thorough grasp of the city’s finances, one who fills the position with goodwill towards the citizens, whose character is ■ of the highest morally and socially, one who at at all times is easily approached and one who acts in the interests of the city as a whole. Now what’s wrong with Mr Mansford as Mayor? Yes. 1 know Mr Tennent; lie is a very fine man; I respect him and I have never known anything against him; but when it comes to the business of the council and its finances, well 1 could not honestly put him in the same class as Air Mansford. Palmerston North is considered one ol the best conducted cities in the Dominion and I think the Mayor (Mr Mansford), Mr Hardie (town clerk) and the councillors are all entitled to a deal of credit. Now, sir, again 1 ask what's wrong with Mr Mansford? May 1 be permitted to make a guess? Certain persons don’t like Mr Hansford as he is a man of independent. thinking, and because lie cannot be roped in. However, the people I am sure will turn out on Saturday and show their interest in the affairs of the city. 1 have not referred to Air Alurphy. 1 don't know him and never heard ot him till he was nominated for the Alayoralty. No doubt he is a worthy citizen, otherwise 1 am sure the Labour Party would not have supported his nomination. Let us have the best man wc can get; let us remember we are all citizens of no mean city, and if wc pull together and act in brotherly love one to another wc will overcome all the difficulties that lie ahead of us. 1 leave the three candidates in the hands ol the electors and whoever wins, well, we will get behind them, for it's our city and its best interests should be ours. —1 am, LtC ’’ NEW ZEALANDER.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — Your sub-leader of May 12 appears to suggest that the Labour Party, by nominating a candidate for the Mayoralty, has introduced party politics. Surely to inter that I .aboil I has no right to representation is the worst form of party politics. Ihe very suggestion that one of the other candidates should retire in order to give the other a chance of defeating Labour is the essence of party politics. Don make no suggestion that Dir Murphy is not capable and worthy to fill the position with credit to himself and benefit to the community generally. In fact, yon arc afraid that his sheer ability" will break down even the prejudice of anti Labour voters. D oilionly opposition to him is that he stands for Labour. Then why not admit that your valuable paper and your anonymous scribes are all definitely in favour of party politics. The fact of one candidate drawing out in Wellington is merely a sign that Labour has exposed the sham-fight and exposed the candidates as belonging to the ope camp. What you really deplore here is the sham fight of two candidates subscribing to the same political philosophy, each trying to be top dog. Labour in 193 S contested the seat against only one opponent and was defeated, not by the voters but by those who failed to exercise their privilege. They won't make the same mistake this year. If the opponents of Labour are afraid oi : a minority Mayor, let them withdraw one candidate, or both if they like. The result will be the same. The people of this city will not miss the opportunity of electing a man of Dir Murphy’s ability as chief citizen. The crowds who swell Mr Dlurphy’s audiences and listen to his dignified, constructive criticism ot civic affairs are proof of that. If dignity, chairmanship, organising ability, initiative, and personality are the prerequisites of a Mayoral candidate Dir Murphy has more right to stand than either of his opponents. We live fortunately in a free country. Let the electors attend an address by Mr Dlurpby and there can be only "one result to the campaign. Dir Murphy must win..—l am, V. A. CHRISTENSEN. Palmerston North, 14/5/41.