THE CITY MAYORALTY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14947, 21 March 1912, Page 8

THE CITY MAYORALTY.

MR. PARR AT PONSONBY.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING

MEANING OF LABOUR ACTIVITY.

Much enthusiasm was displayed by last evening's meeting of Ponsonby electors in support of the candidature of Mr. C. .J. Parr fog, re-election to the City Mayoralty. There were about 250 persons present, in eluding many ladies. Messrs. A. J. Entrican, G. Read, R. Tudehope, and M. Casey, members of the City Council, were present, and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. J. Court) presided. Mr. Court remarked upon tho dosirability of securing the return of the Mayor, who had initiated many important municipal projects, so that those undertakings might be completed under his direction. Mr. S. D. Hanna moved, "That this meeting of Ponsonby residents expresses appreciation of the able and energetic manner in which Mr. C. J. Parr has filled the office of chief magistrate of the city during the past year, conveys to him its continued confidence, and forms itself into a working committee to secure his re-elec tion." Mr. Hanna said tho proposition required no commendation from him. Mr. Parr had done his duty to the citizens, and they would be wanting in respect to themselves if they did not assist in ngain placing him in the position which he was so well qualified to till. Mr. H. X. Bagnall seconded the motion, remarking that the city could with confidence ask Mr. Parr to accept office, for another year. The motion was carried unanimously. Who is to Elect the Mayor? Warm applause greeted Mr. Parr, who expressed gratification at the attendance, which he regarded as an indication that he did not stand alone. (Applause.) Though he might have made mistakes, he had done his best in the discharge of an arduous office, and had mapped out a programme of which the constituent schemes were well forward. "At the present time lam in the middle of the contract," continued Mr. Parr, " and I have been ordered to cease —not by the citizens of Auckland but by the Federation of Labour, which wants to put in a man to finish the work which you asked me to start 12 months ago. The question to bo decided is whether the Mayor of Auckland is to be selected by the citizens of Auckland or by the Federation of Labour."

Brutal Methods of Syndicalism.

Mr. Parr described the federation as a combination of unions which had broken away from the Arbitration Act, and which were absolutely opposed to peaceful methods of settling industrial disputes. The means which the federation advocated was the brutal method of force and strike. It was a syndicalist organisation, which proposed to settle all disputes in which it might be concerned by calling out not only the union that was directly interested but also every union that it could possibly command. The organiser of the federation had himsalf declared during the labourers' striko last year, that If their demands were not conceded the Federation would take the extreme step of paralysing the whole of New Zealand. "Wo have fallen foul of the Federation, | and I have been singled out for its attentions during the next fivo weeks. It I wants to secure the Mayoralty for a Socialist, for the federation stands for revolutionary Socialism of tho most aggressive type. The" ultimate object of the federation is to capture the whole Labour organisation of the Dominion, and then place in the hands of its executive the terrible power of calling a general strike. That power should not be entrusted to any six men in New Zealand, for by its exercise, they could paralyse industry, reduce the community to chaos, and bring untold suffering upon women and children. These are the people who have decided that I am no longer worthy to be Mayor of Auckland." The Exhibition and Greater Auckland. Two important matters that would demand early consideration were mentioned by Mr. Parr. He said that it was upon tho suggestion of the City Council that the promoters of the Exhibition scheme had selected the Domain as a site for the Exhibition, and the public and the leaders of the movement expected the Council to give the scheme generous assistance. He ventured to suggest that if ho continued in office, he might, as Mayor, bo of some assistance in connection with tho undertaking, both to the Exhibition and to the community. The question of a Greater Auckland was rapidly growing in importance. A poll would shortly be taken in Grey Lynn upon an amalgamation proposal, and lie was sanguino enough to believe that if tho matter was handled properly and tactfully, ono or more districts would he brought within tho city boundaries in the next year. (Applause.) Both of those matters interested him keenly, and though he would not deny that a Mayor new to tho responsibilities of the office might bo successful in both, no man, whatever his ability, determination and business experience might be, could make himself familiar with the 22 municipal departments in less than 12 months. (Ajjplause.) The Mayoralty was no plaything for an amateur, and at the present juncture it was for tho citizens to say whether a change in management might bo prejudicial to the important undertakings initiated by the City Coun- I cil during the past year. There was very hearty applauso as Mr. Parr con- \ cluded his remarks. i Two Hundred Willing Workers. The remainder of tho meeting -was devoted to arrangements, and plans were completed for a canvass by 200 friends of Mr. Parr, with a view to securing tho enrolment of every eligible elector in Ponsonby. A meeting of Mr. Parr's friends and supporters will be held in St. David's Hall at eight o'clock to-morrow evening.