LABOUR CAMPAIGN

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

LABOUR CAMPAIGN

MEETING AT TAKARO

Labour's candidates lor the Mayoralty and City Council continued their municipal campaign last evening when a splendid meeting ot just on 100 residents of the Takaro area was presided over liv Mr Ik T, Jamieson in the Takaro 11 all. the chairman in extending an apology for the absence of .Mr J. llodgons, M.P., who was in Wellington, said that he would like publicly to thank Mr Hodgens for the attention and consideration he had always given to requests that, had been made by residents of the area. Takaro, lie said, had the most progressive association in the city, and on tins occasion was putting forward a council candidate of its own in the person of Mr E. If. Smith. Mr Murphy, in opening his address, | made mention of a press editorial which would seem to infer that Labour had taken a mean advantage in not disclosing their nomination lor the Mayoralty before the closing date of nominations. It seemed that the Press was taking sides in the campaign to keep Labour out at all costs. “Who was responsible for the publication of a so-called ‘Citizens’ 'lickctP lie did not know, but. hq had been asked by Mr lieatley and by Mr llodgens to repudiate any connection at all with such a ticket. “This seems to be a move,” lie said, “to spread tbo inference that. Mi Hodgens was deserting his colleagues , and is anything but fair and above-board.’ Mr" Murphy dealt, at length with city affairs on lines similar to those at previous meetings, and criticised the Mayor's attitude in regard to gasworks management. Mr Mansford wanted to have his cake and cat it too, the speaker added, pointing out that, although publicly claiming the credit for the present management, the Mayor later criticised * the position of tlio pas accounts and said that it should be able to compete with the electricity department if it were properly managed. “What are we to understand by this peculiar attitude?” asked Mr Murphv. “Surely the blame, if it exists, must rest on the* shoulders of Mr Mansford liim.-elf. wiio has been Mayor of the city for 10 years.” At the conclusion of his address winch was enthusiastically received, Mr Murphy invited Mr E. 11. Smith, who was present, to address the meeting. lie said that Mr ‘Smith was a Takaro nominee for Ihe council, and as an Independent candidate bad naturally no connection with the Labour ticket, and ho extended the invitation as a courtesy to Mr Smith. Mr Smith said it was true he was not a member ol the Labour I'arty, but neither was he in any wav connected with t ho "Citizens Ticket,” nor did ho desire to associate himself with it. He had not boon consulted about the inclusion of his name in tbo ticket and was amazed at the action of those responsible for its publication. Mr B. Salmons and Mrs Ilarrod spoke briefly in support of tbo policy expounded by the Mayoral candidate. .Mrs Bennett criticised the attitude of an anonymous newspaper correspondent who had* .said it was a pity that woman could not find something better to do than contest local body elections. The time was overdue, she said, for the women to take their place with men in the Government of city and local body affairs, more especially when many of the departments were concerned with the health and well-being of the citizens. At the conclusion of his address Mr Murphy answered several questions, orio dealing, with the flood menace from the Kawau drain. He said that Labour’s policy of three years ago was still the only one that was practical and feasible in this- direction and advocated dealing with causes and not fiddling about with effects. The only permanent solution would be to divert the flow at the source of the drain, he said, by putting in a cut which would intercept the Kawau arid the Mangaono well above the city’s northern botinaar.v and divert the flow of water to the river above tlio gasworks. A motion of thanks to and complete confidence in the speakers was moved by Mr 11. Gray, who said that those present had listened to a reasoned and clearly put case which was entirety froo from personalities. The motion was duly seconded and was declared by the chairman to be carried unanimously. AT OPERA HOUSE TO-NIGH’I

To-hight at the Opera House electors arc invited to meet and hear the Labour candidates for (he Mayoralty and City Council. Their campaign so far has been favoured by large attendances and to-night

should prove no exception, as interest in the contest seems to be keener than for many years. Mr O. R. Murphy will deal with the city’s administration and it ran lie safely assumed that his policy of avoiding personalities in his campaign will bo continued at the Opera House meeting. Other candidates who will address the meeting are -Mrs Ttennott. Mr Salmons, Mrs Hnrrod. and Mr -T. Horlgeu-, M.P.. who will deal with different phases of our civic administration. 31R TENNENT’S ADDRESS. 11l moving thanks and confidence to Mr W. P>. Tcnnont. at the Coronation Hall last night, when there was a good atlrdance, Mr \V Cooper said he had known both Mr and Mrs Tcnnent for a long time. He did not know which was the abler, but ho felt sure they would both fill the position of Mayor and Mayoress with dignity and distinction. The motion, seconded by Mr L. Simmonds, was carried unanimously. MR TENNENT AT OPERA HOUSE. To-morrow night Mr W. B. Tcnnent, candidate' for the Mayoralty, will address the electors in the Opera House when he will give a survey of the city’s 'administration and outline his policy for the city's future, i Mr J. C. Young will preside. 1