EXPERIENCE ASPECT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20242, 30 April 1929, Page 13

EXPERIENCE ASPECT.

CRITICISM OF MR. VAILE.

QUESTION OF CANDIDATURE

INCIDENT LAST SEPTEMBER. •" I wonder what Mr. Vaile would say if I walked into his office and said, ' 1 will run your business, but I do not know anything about it,' " said Mr. G. Baildon, amid laughter, at the Leys Institute last evening when lie addressed a large audience in support, of his candidature for ro-oloclion as Mayor. " How little Mr. Vailo knows about municipal affairs is rovcaled by his suggestion that tlio council should meet weekly," said Mr. Baildon. " The staff would not be able to' keep up with the work. Mr. Vailo also says he would foster quick and cheap transport between the city and suburbs. That is a matter for the Transport Board. Apparently Mr. Vailo does not know what the functions of the council arc." Ho also referred to other planks in Mr. Vailo's platform on similar lines, Mr. Baildon said Mr. Bloodworth had not raised his voico in the council concerning the alleged lack of policy or the council's alleged ineptitude. As a matter of fact, he had suggested that the council should defer action on quite simple matters which he, as Mayor, thought should bo cleared up.

Work ot the Council. " It is a great pity that some people do not get behind and boost tho city instead of going around looking for trouble," the Mayor said. " Mr. Murray saved a lot of money," a voice called. " Ho has not saved a threepenny bit," tho Mayor replied. "Ho cost tho city somo hundreds of pounds." Mr. Baildon said it had been charged against himself and tho council that they lacked a policy for civic development. Ho asserted that this charge was baseless, and ho dealt at somo length with tho extension of tlio waterworks at Waitakcre, the Huia Valley and the lower Nihotupu, the concreting of tho main roads of tho city, and tho improvement of tho secondary streets, provision of more playing areas, and tho improvement of others, and tho extension of tho public libraries. Tho zoo had been extended and kept up-to-date, and now a Zoological Society was being formed to increase public interest. Tho town planning committee and department were doing good work, one of their main activities being the provision of new outlets. Mr. Bnildon also claimed credit for having settled the civic square impasse, and for obtaining rents much higher than those suggested by the council's agents.

The hope that all-night lighting in all the streets would become possible on tho completion of the Arapuni scheme was expressed by Mr. Baildon. The cily was now paying £50.000 a year for street lighting, and when the new power was available, it was possible that there might bo some reduction in costs, which would enable tlve council to extend the service. Mr. Vaile and tho Mayoralty. Mr. Baildon answered a number of questions. " Why has that grand old man, Sir Edwin Mitchelson, not nominated you this time," lie, was asked. "There is quite a lot in that," the Mayor replied. " T have not said anything about it before, but I have been asked the same question in the street Sir Edwin Mitchelson has not dropped me. He told me that Mr. Vailo had advised him I had told him (Mr. Vaile) I was not going to stand for re-election, and that in consequence ho (Sir Edwin) had been placed in an awkward position. 1 never said anything of tho sort lo Mr. Vaile," Mr. Baildon continued. " Tho only time I havo spoken to him concerning the Mayoralty was al.iout last September, when Mr. Vailo asked if I was standing again. I said then that the election was a long way off, and that it was too early to say anything. Mr. Vailo then asked if I would support his candidature in the event of my not standing again. I refused, telling him that 1 might wish to give my support to a member of the council." Mr. Baildon added that Sir Edwin Mitchelson had given him full permission to make use of their conversation.

Mr. J. Stewart presided., and Mr. Bail don was given a vole of thanks and con fidcnce. There were three or four dis sentient voices.