MAYORAL CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 13

MAYORAL CAMPAIGN.

MR. VAILE'S CANDIDATURE.

MANY REFORMS ADVOCATED.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

An enthusiastic reception was accorded to Mr. H. E. Vaile, who opened his mayoral- campaign in the Town Hall last evening. Sir George 1' owlds presided over an attendance of about 450, those on the platform including Mr. H. R. Jenkins, M.P., Mr. A. J. Hutchinson, Mr. A. Spencer, Mr. J. F. Shanly, Mr. C. J. Lovegrove, Mr. T. U. Wells and Mr. I. J. Goldstine. Mr. Vaile was received with cheers and prolonged applause." Explaining his reasons lor standing for the Mayoralty, Mr. Vaile said he had been nominated hy no political party or section of the community. No financial consideration had influenced him, but only a desire to serve his native city. His family had settled in Auckland nearly a century ago, and he himself was born in lvarangahape Road, so that he could call himself an Aucklander in the true sense of the word. Everything he had he owed to Auckland. He had been trained for 35 years in a hard business school.

" I enjoy an advantage in not having been a councillor," Mr. Vaile said. ' 1 could go to the Town Hall free from all prejudices or attachment to any party, and 1 believe that a reorganisation could be effected which would make for economy and result in the much quicker despatch of business. If you give me the opportunity I will undertake to place the concern on a sound business footing with the councillors as directors and the Mayor as chairman, as if it were a large company. Revision ol Finances.

•' i think the council should meet weekly, and that with a view to keeping the rates down the finances should be very carefully studied. It is easy enough to borrow money, but not so easy to spend it in such a manner as not to be a burden on the ratepayers, lhe enormous increase in the general rate invites careful investigatioh, and although the total rates have not increased very much, the method adopted to keep them down is open to question. Last year, what was really a capital sum was applied to this purpose, and the valuations of dwellings have been raised considerably, to provide further income. "During the past year or two there has been a heavy fall in reids, and yet the valuations have been increased. Where owners are holding their allotments for very high prices there may be an excuse for rating them high, but to say that rental values have been increased lately seems to me absurd. The present method seems open to many anomalies, which I should like the opportunity of rectifying. " Then i think the by-laws should be revised. There are well over 1000 of them and twice as many sub-sections to govern every action of our daily existence. Nobody understands thein, and we all disobey them. In the course of years rules and regulations have been piling up Until we are 110 longer a free people." Greater Auckland Policy.

Mr. Vaile said that other questions which would receive his attention were unemployment, the preservation of Hobsun Bay and the city's volcanic cones, and the beuutification of the city. "I am a Greater Aucklander," he added. "1 cannot imagine how it can possibly be in the public interest for a population of 200,000 to be governed by 25 local bodies, each with its own staff, to say nothing of drainage, power, fire, hospital and other boards. The population is no more than a small suburb of London, and the sooner we get together and realise that we are only one community working together for the good of all, the better. " In any case, I think we must return to the ward system. At present about 60 names, alphabetically arranged on the ballot-paper, merely bewilder the average voter, whereas, if .the city were divided into about 10 wards each with two councillors, it would make for simplicity and provide direct representation for various districts." Consideration for Motorists.

City traffic problems seemed to be overstated. City traffic inspectors and police constables seemed to be doing a great deal of each others' work. Queen Street was talked of as if it were a Piccadilly or Fifth Avenue. The real trouble was that there was too little traffic, and not too much. Motorists nvced each other now, whereas if there were more traffic, cars would have to maintain an even pace. Motorists would have to receive more consideration. Parking areas were needed near the Town Ha'll and on the waterfront.

Revision of roading conditions also seemed Necessary in the public interest* The maintenance of streets 66ft. wide in the suburbs was a shocking waste of money, as ratepayers had to pay for the maintenance of little-used streets. More friendly relations should be established between the City Council and the Government, and also with other local bodies. It was rumoured that the old railway yards at Newmarket were to be subdivided and sold. If this were so the action would be opposed to the best interests of the city. United action should be taken to preserve the 'area for the use and benefit of the community. Street maintenance also called for early attention, and if elected he. would investigate the present system of patching up roads. He also had definite opinions on the question of main traffic outlets, and this tion would receive his early attention if he were elected. In reply to questions, Mr. Vafile said he was in favour of the harbour bridge scheme if it were not too great a burden upon the ratepayers. He also favoured rating on capital values. A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. T. IT. Wells, and seconded by Mr. J. h. Conlan, was carried with one dissentient.