MR FINCH’S CANDIDATURE.

Northern Advocate, 2 May 1933, Page 8

MR FINCH’S CANDIDATURE.

To the Editor

Sir. —As considerable capital is being made by Mr Jones’ supporters that the statements made by him at the public meeting on Wednesday night have not been contradicted, I have been asked to take this opportunity of briefly replying to a few of his inaccuracies and misrepresentations, I have been an

active participant in sports all my life, and t hope that I am sufficiently a

sportsman to take either del oat or victory in the rigid spirit, but I do not think 1 was quite fairly treated on that occasion. No arrangement was made as to whether Mr Jones or .1 would speak first, and as it is usual for the Mayor to explain his stewardship and policy before reasonable criticisiu can lie made of the same, it, came

as a surprise to me when the chairman called upon me to speak lirst. This meant that as Mr Jones —as those who ■were present must have noticed —had no policy speech to make, he was able to find some thunder to deliver by t wisting my statements out of all recognition of their meaning. He even ridiculed my professional ability as an engineer, which .1 thought, taking into consideration the fact that I was not given the right of reply, was unfair to me and unworthy of a man in his position. f am not a politician, and Mr Jones is an old hand as a stump orator. He went so far as to state publicly that he considered his opinion on concrete roads superior to that of Mr Marks. T was designing and construct-

ing streets in Whangarei years before Mr Jones was ever thought of in Municipal politics here, and T am a qualified civil engineer. Mr Marks is a civil engineer of high standing and a recognised expert on concrete road construction. My statement that Otaika Road -Jonm

dation was badly made is quite correct, j in spite of Air Jones’ blustering denial and Hie opinion of his “engineers, who have forgotten more than I ever knew.” He also quite misrepresented my attitude towards a new T library, ana the difficulties he brought forward in reference to library rate, etc., Avero more imaginative than real. He fried fr make it appear Hint T wanted to put j forward a. loan proposal immedialelv,. whereas I had quite clearly stated that, although I wanted a new library as I consider that Whangarei, and more particularly the reading public ot Yhangarei, deserves one —1 would bo the last person to propose a loan in the present state of the country, unless the construction of a library—which, bA the way, Avonld assist in providing work for tradesmen —and the utilisation' of the present library accommodation for staff purposes could be organised in such a way that there would be no cost to the ratepayers. As pub-

lic opinion is demanding it, Air Jones is becoming a convert to concrete, bur ho strenuously opposed the borough putting down a trial strip in Skram concrete. This is, I suppose, the occasion when he “used the brake.” He lias stated more than once that lie has no confidence in the method, and it was only after certain councillors had taken steps and the fine offer of the Cement Company was received, that Mr dones accepted the position and the olfer, and suggested Walton Street as the site for a class of concrete road which I hope will materially affect Jhc future roadiug policy of this borough, but which, if Air Jones’ “brake’ - had been kept on, would never have been proceeded with. For propaganda purposes, I am still being pointed out ns a menace to wage-earners. The true position of the “cut” is this: There has been no wages “cut.” The outside staff are working under award wages in all cases, indeed, paying slightly more, the minimum being £4 4/- per week. There has been a “cut” in the salaries of the staff of 5 per cent., and this was fair and reasonable. The council hold a special meeting to deal Avith the subject. -At that meeting I adA’oeatod a graduated scale of salary “cuts.” An amendment Avas moA'cd by Councillor Tibbits that there be a 5 per cent, cut in salaries, and this Avas carried on the casting A'ote of the Alayor. I think little more need be said. —I am, etc., E. S. FINCH.