Labour and the Mayoralty

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 6

Labour and the Mayoralty

Mr. C. R. Murphy Asked to Stand WILL TAKE TIME TO CONSIDER A request that he should allow his name to go forward as a candidate for the Mayoralty of Palmerston North at the forthcoming municipal elections was made last evening to Mr. (J. R. Murphy by a deputation representing the Labour and industrial movement. Mr. J. Berry, vice-president of the Palmerston North Labour Representation Committee, was in the chair and there were about 35 in the deputation. ✓ The servico that Mr. Murphy had given to the Labour and industrial uiov%meut was well known, said the chairman, and every confidence was felt that he would be able to carry out the duties of Mayor iu a capable manner. If Mr. Murphy would consent to his name going forward, he could count on the full support of Labour.

When the Labour Party had decided to contest the Mayoralty in 1938, it had done so in fear and trembling, stated Private V. A. Christiansen, but when the polling was over it had been found that the candidate had obtained the highest number of votes ever recorded by Labour. If Mr. Murphy did not stand, 3500 people would be disfranchised. Comparisons were odious, but he felt that, as far as qualifications were concerned, Mr. Murphy stood head and shoulders above the other candidates who were offering themselves. In regard to Mrs. Murphy, he was confident she would discharge her duties with ability and distinction-

Messrs. E. J. Bo water, J. Mabey, G. Gulliver and Mrs. L. Bennett also urged Mr. Murphy to allow himself to be nominated, while a telegram was read from Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., saying that he would be terribly disappointed if Mr. Murphy’s answer was no.

Replying, Mr. Murphy said he was deeply appreciative of the sentiments expressed. Many requests had been made to him to stand, and in view of these and the deputation that evening, he felt he could not do other than give the matter the consideration it warranted. The Labour movement had been inadequately represented on the City Council for many years. Mr. Hodgens had done yeoman service as a councillor, but it could not be suggested that one representative for Labour was adequate. When the speaker had joined the Labour movement, he had understood that it would be his duty to do whatever was asked of him. He was unable to give a definite answer to the request that evening, and asked for a little time. If his answer was no, he would still contest the council election, and if his answer was yes, he could assure the deputation that he would enter the fight in no halfhearted manner and w T ould fight clean but hard. With the backing of the Labour and industrial movement, Mr. Murphy concluded, he knew he would not be lacking in support.