MAYORAL ELECTION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 8

MAYORAL ELECTION

STATEMENTS REPLIED TO. BY MR MANSFORD. A reply to statements made by Mr IV. B. Tennent when addressing electors at Central School on Monday night was made by Mi- A. E. Mausford in his election .speech at the same place last night. | “.Ur Tennent started off by saying :ic had hoped the election would be fought in keeping with the dignity of the Mayoral ’ oflieo and the canons of good taste,’’ said 3h- Mansion!. “Let me tell Mr 'lennent jl have nothing to learn from him. Let him | look at Mr Grant’s statements and his own publicity, if he thought ho could j get away with that, and because 1 was ; Mayor 1 would not hit back, well, lie does ' not know me. I made no reflection on Mr ' Grant's public life whatsoever. He is a vci umed soldier and no, one has a greater respect for the relumeS soldier than I j have; but that docs not'-give hint or any- ' one else the right to Make statements such a.- Mr Grant did about me. I do not bear him any malice, but 1 am bound publicly Ito defend myself. It is no good Mr Tctiuiont dragging in .Mr Grants private life; Iwe all know it is exemplary. But because jl am Mayor that docs not give any man the right to make statements containing innuendoes regarding my integrity, my : ability, and my work for this city. I do not attack people till they attack me. “Ill's reply as to the reason why he was not at council meetings may be correct, but he c-annot get away from the fact that lie was absent from the meetings I staled. He is convicted on his own reasoning, for he compares his 75 per cent, with my 86 [tor cent., and 1 was absent on all occasions when on council or city business, except once when 1 was laid up with influenza. I was not away on private business. .11l- Tennent can’t have it both ways. Mr Tennent slates, "when any special matter requiring the co-operation of tlie citij zen? arises, it is left io the Mayor to or- ! ganisc the meeting and invite the citizens, tor which service amongst others he receives an honorarium of £450 per annum.’ jMy patriotic efforts arc not prompted by any £450 a year. Neither arc ser vieos for the city prompted by any mercenary payments. "Mr Tennent’s advertisement stated that his election as Mayor would secure a more united and harmonious war effort. 1 set out to show what his war effort had been !up to the present and I think successfully. '1 am sorry indeed that Mr Tennent has 'introduced sectarianism. 1 have too much respect lor my friends and enemies (i! 1 have any) even to think of such a thing, j Mr Tennent can introduce all the sectarianism lie likes, but 1 will not have anything !to do with it. I am sorry for him if that is all he can i-cc in my reference to the triple trap. Perhaps when lie cools down and gets a little more political experience lie will know better than to even introduce religion. I “Mr 'lunicnt introduces politics and calmly tells you what I ant going to do. ll'cll, I think I am capable of minding my own business and looking after the interest of the people of this city. He need have no fears of a general election or of what I am going to do.” Mr C. Taylor, who was in the chair, said that Mr Mausford had carried out the duties of Mayor with marked ability and distinction, and the state of the city’s finances was an indication of the work he had done. Citizens could regard the pciiod of Mr Mansford's mayoralty with a great measure of satisfaction. The meeting, which numbered between 20 and 40, accorded Mr Mausford a vote of thanks and confidence. MR MANSFORD AT TAKARO TO-NIGHT.

Residents of Takaro having heard aspirants for Mayor and council honours will have the opportunity of hearing Mr .Hansford to-night, when he will address them in tlie Takaro Jlall at 8 A large attendance is anticipated. 1