CITY MAYORALTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21480, 2 May 1933, Page 11

CITY MAYORALTY

REVIEW BY MR. HUTCHISON REPLY TO OPPONENTS CHARGE OF MISREPRESENTATION Complete confidence in the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, and his administration was expressed at a •well-at-tended meeting at the Remuera Library Hall last evening, when Mr. Hutchison gave the only address ho has delivered during tho present municipal election campaign. Most of the members of the present City Council were on the platform and Mr. C. J. Tunks presided. "Mr. Hutchison has discharged his mayoral duties not only with dignity but with a very fine capacity indeed," said Mr. Tunks. "It is oup duty to seo that those _ gentlemen who undertake the burden of office receive our loyal support when they carry out their duties as they have during the past two years." Mr. Hutchison said he had not intended to address any meetings in this campaign but there had been somo misrepresentation and ho felt it was due to himself, as well as to those members of the council who had supported him, that he should allow no misapprehension to remain. He dealt at some length with statements made by Mr. H. G. 1?. Mason, M.P., the Labour candidate for the Mayoralty. Finances of Council The Mayor said they had started two years ago . with a debit balance of £22,247 but although they had been faced with additional expenses—unemployment £10,300, exchange payments £17,713, rate revenue reduction £32,000 and reduction in general revenue £15,000 —at the end of the financial year just closed the debit balance stood at £18,500. They were more often in credit than in debt. In the coming year the council would have £22,000 less revenue by reason of reduced valuations while the increased exchange would cost £36,795, or £19,082 more than last year. However, by the reduction in interest on loans held locally the council would save £13,500. In speaking of economies to meet loss of revenue the Mayor said the total reductions in salaries and wages had amounted during his term to £34,203 annually. Other savings made included £8894 yearly on parks, although four reserves had been added; collecting and burning refuse, £5242_: scavenging and cleaning streets, £2781; street maintenance, £11,552. Zoo and the Band These savings had been made without loss of efficiency. By the adoption of modern methods and close supervision following the appointment of divisional engineers, much better results had been secured. In this respect a saving of £9OB had been made in the cost of streets supervision. It had been necessary to cut down the vote for special works from £35,000 to £BOOO, but unfortunately it was not possible to embark on any new capital work.

Tho Mayor said there had been criticism of the cost of the Zoo. There had been a loss of £4405, which included the loss on the Municipal Band. He couid not see his way to discontinue the band (applause) in view of its high efficiency. In times like these they perhaps needed something like this to disperse the mantle of gloom. Means of popularising the Zoo were under consideration and would bo put into operation during the year. Financial Arrangements

The Major spoke of the benefit derived from the practice of financing on temporary loans and said the council could get as much money at call ar, 2i per cent as it needed. When he assumed office there were loan authorities for £390,050. He had been told by the banks that it was no use going to London for the money. They decided to raise locally the money they required, and they had secured £620,250, a large portion without payment of brokerage. All this was done in the face of severe financial stringency—surely a tribute to the stability of the council and the ability of the administrators. Two vears ago there was a debit balance of £53,210 in the water works account and this had been reduced to £4718, in spite of a reduction last year of 2£ per cent to city consumers and Id per 1000 gallons to local bodic-s and the loss of the custom of Mount Roskill and the Power Board. Work for Unemployed

Mr. Hutchison said the bulk of the work being done by No. 5 was creating assets. However, the No. 5 scheme did not assist greatly in the general rehabilitation of the community, as the works called for a minimum of materials. Two works which would spread the benefit by giving work in other trades in the supply of materials were the Mount Hobson reservoir and the new stormwater sewer which the council was undertaking. The wages of the men would be subsidised, so that they would get standard rates, and about 180 men would be employed. No doubt something had to be done along these lines to place these workers in a better position. The council had realised the need for assisting the unemploved, and last year had spent £10,300/ The council had found work for every man sent to it by the Labour Department and was now employing 2225 men. Salaries of Officers

It had been stated the council was paving its principal officers salaries double those paid by the Government to heads of departments, who received a maximum of about £BOO. This, he said, was misrepresentation, and a man who standing for the high office of Mayor should not. be ignorant of the fact that the scale showing that the highest salary paid was £1260 had been published as [.ate as March 29 of this year. The City Council controlled a large and important business, and he would not be a party to reducing salaries which would prevent them getting men of the highest integrity and ability for the responsible positions.

The Mayor said that Mr. Mason had urged that sinking funds should bo suspended. He had stated that £106,000 would be available for relief, but he should know that payments from the Transport and Auckland Power Boards were included in the £106,000, and would not be available. The city's total sinking fund payments amounted to £42.310. He was not prepared to damage the prestige and credit of the city by using these funds, but would prefer to raise fresh loans for an equivalent amount and use the money for the relief of unemployment.

In conclusion, Mr. Hutchison said it would be of no use to re-elect him unless a strong supporting council also was elected. An easy victory could noli he looked for as Labour would vote solidlv.

Mr. J. F. Ewen moved a hearty vote of thanks to and confidence in Mr. Hutchison. He said the city was fortunate in having, in charge of its affairs in difficult times a man of such experience, tact and conspicuous ability. The motion wan seconded by Mr. W, Rosser, who said ho had been somewhat converted by Mr. Hutchison, who knew his business and was worthy to represent them. The motion Was carried without dissent. ,