Labour Candidates at Hokowhitu

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 115, 16 May 1941, Page 8

Labour Candidates at Hokowhitu

Mr. W. H. Brown occupied the chair last evening at the Tloxovvaitu ricnooi, when Mr. u. B. Murpny, the Mayorax candidate, anu the lmuour candidates aauressea just on 40 electors of the luoivowfiitu district.

■me citaxrman, iu opening the meeting, said that ne was wen acquainted witu Mr. Murpny and could trutnxuny

say tnat he knew of no reason wny tne canuiaate snouid xiot creditaoiy fin tfie position of Mayor of the city, mg as president of the Automobile Association, Mr. Brown said that Mr. Murpny was a “live” member of the association’s executive, and one whose slogan was •*• service,” a very necessary qualification for the high office to which ne aspired. Mr. Murpny opened his address by referring to a letter in the Evening [Standard, purporting to come from the Palmerston North uranefi. of tfie Communist Party, and said that he certainly was not courting the douotiul support of that organisation. He did not want their support and furthermore ii ho felt that his candidature iu any way depended upon the baching of the Communist. Party, he would as-jt to be withdrawn from the contest. His criticism of municipal affairs, Mr. Murpny said, and fiis expressed opinions or departmental management nad not been reruted or challenged by either of his opponents, who evTuentiy were too ousiiy occupied to give any attention to tne minor matter ox tfie city’s affairs. He had endeavoured during his campaign to present a statement of constructive criticism and policy, and to avoid anything tnat savoured of personal recrimination, and he would continue to do so.

At the conclusion of his address questions were put to the candidate and

were answereu to tno complete sa-us-raction ox tne audienc-e. Mr Murpny was followed by the other candidates tor council and local oociy jjositions, wno spoke briefly on the lines tney uau adopted at otner meetings. Mr. ixodgens said that fie find nappy memories ox his association with tne chairman during tne time Mr. Brown was a memuer ox tne City Council, and repeated nis previously expressed desire tnat ne did not wisn for support iu this cam-, paign if that support were not extended to Mr. Murpny and the other members of La-uour's team. This iu spite of the contemptiole effort to wean nim away from tnose with ■whom he had iauoured so long, to. bulid a movement of whicn he was justly proud, and of whose prestige he was extremely jealous, said Mr. Hodgens, referring to the recently published “citizens’ ticket.” The meeting closed with. a. vote of thanks to tne speaners and of confidence in Labour’s candidates for the Mayoralty, City Council, Hospital Board and Power Board. The resolution was carried unanimously, as was a vote of thanks to Mr. Brown for the able manner in which he had conducted the meeting. The Abattoirs. In answer to a question from the Master Butchers’ Association as to whether he would agree to the appointment by that body of a representative to sit on the abatttoir committee in an advisory capacity, Mr. C. B. Murphy, the Labour candidate for tho Mayoralty, said at his Opera House meeting that not only would he agree to such representation but would welcome it. The question is one which has been put to other Mayoral candidates by the Master Butchers ’ Association. TO-NIGHT’S MEETING To-night at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, Cuba Street, Labour candidates will close tffeii’ municipal campaign by a

brief survey of the cardinal points of 1 their policy. The large attendances aft 1 previous meetings has been appreci- j ated, and is accepted as an indication { of the interest that has been aroused in the campaign, and as an omen for ( to-morrow. ] The meeting will be under the chair- ] manship of the senior sitting councillor, , Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., and will be ad- , dressed by Mr. Murphy, the Mayoral candidate, and by Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Harrod and Mr. Salmons, who are contesting City Council seats. In view of the importance of the issues at stake to-morrow a good attendance is antici- , gated. J