THE ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7419, 22 April 1911, Page 6

THE ELECTIONS

ADDRESSES BY CANDIDATES. Mil LEIGH HUNT. Mr Lcifrh Hunt addressed a small meeting of electors at St. Thomas’s Schoolroom last night. Mr William Jack occupied tho chair. Mr Hunt said ho did not como out as .a oarping critic of tho past council. Ho 'believed tho city had cause to bo proud of its council for some year's past. Ho v/aa not u partisan candidate, but would represent all classes. He did not see that there was any particular grievance on ' the part of electors, nor had Labour any particular grievance, so far as he could sec. Tht* upairs of tho city were of such magnitude now that a candidate should have ««uo practical experience of business affairs and ho had hail considerable experience of the kind. Ho deplored the lack of interest on the part of the electors. it was time tho citizens recognised, that it was not only their privilege to take an active interest in the affairs ot •their city, but it was their duty. He stood lor’tho economic and management of municipal affairs. Satisfactory as the position was ho would not be a party tu any extravagance, but would Btil). further a progressive policy. Ino ■affairs of tho fra in ways urgently required looking into. No company would bo allowed to so over-crowd tho cars as they were overcrowded here; yet it appeared to ho a difficult matter to make tho service pay. However, ho did not think tho system should bo built up merely for profit, but to encourage people to live out of the city under healthy conditions. Tho first way to get at tho bottom of the matter was to havo sectional returns mado up—each section being tabulated separately so ns to ascertain how each section pawl, Tho primary difficulty was the absence of sufficient cars, ami if it was not possible to build more cars out of revenue then, ho would favour a small loan for car-building, so that people might bo carried in decency. Trams might be utilised at night for haulage of sand and gravel. As to advertising in tram-cars, ho supported > Councillor i’letcher in his protests against it. Better to adorn the walls with photographs of beauty spot*. Ho favoured tho connecting of Constable street tram with J/yall Bay. It was desirable to consider whether a public market would be profitably utilised before undertaking its establishment. Ho had his, doubts about st. Nevertheless he sympathised with the movement and was prepared to test public opinion by moving for the establishment of a fish market. Before he would consent to the cutting up of the Basin Reserve very good cause would have to be shown. He advocated the afforestation, of the Town Belt; the putting on of a small charge for admission to tho Zoo to hell) towards its upkeep; tho comxdetion of tho drainage of the suburbs; establishment of an art gallery; and regulations for tho abolition of the mnoko nuisance. Ho protested against the attitude of the Government in endeavouring to curtail the powers of municipalities, and, if elected, ho would be a strenuous advocate for extension rather than curtailment of municipal operations. Better supervision of street lighting was necessary. He would give every encouragement to suburban volunteer fire brigades. Ho favoured a municipal superannuation scheme ami would urge that it be : got under way as soon as possible. Ho would like to see a movement set afoot to inculcate into tho young some spirit of patriotism regarding their city. That spirit was stronger in other cities than in. Wellington. Replying to a question the candidate said ho was not in favour of the council entering into trading operations of any kind. On the motion of Mr A. H. Greenwood, seconded by Mr H. Rigg, a vote of confidence was accorded to the candidate. HON. J. JS. JENKINSON. -Views ON TOWN PLANNING. The Hon. J. E. Jenkins-on, M-L.C., a candidate for a seat on the CAy Council, addressed a well-attended meeting in the Tiffin Tea Boom. Hall last evening. Tho Hon. J. Bigg, M.L.C., presided. in opening the candidate spoke of the necessity for town planning. At present then© was no systematic co-operation between the Government, the ’ Harbour Board., the City Council, and adjacent local bodies. Such a - lack of co-ordina-tion necei-sarily hindered the development of Greater Wellington on. the most economical and convenient lines. Without a proper basis of agreement it was difficult to avoid mistakes which were costly and awkward to remedy. He advocated the immediate holding of a conference of the authorities concerned to survey the whole position. Such a "stocktakinff” conference would not bo costly, but ft would" be very valuable as the beginning of a movement to make Wellington's expansion, take the best possible shape. The choice of sites by the Government or local bodies for public buildings, the extension, of tramways and railways, tho; provision of additional recreation spaces and the reading of the town belt were properly contingent on the framing of a . comprehensive plan. The preliminary conference he had suggested should lend to the appointment of experts to prepare reports which would be submitted to a meeting of delegates of local bodies. There was a fixed idea in many minds that “town planning” meant "town upsetting.” It seemed that rational, necessary town planning, which was much cheaper and much more comfortable than .town spoiling, was being hindered by persons who considered that tho old mistakes wore good- enough for tho community. The guiding principle should bo,regulation rather than revolution. Ho knew that Wellington had not .largo sums of money to spend in grand projects and improvements; bat at least . the council could make certain that any work undertaken at present would not clash with some other work that might bo necessary ip the future. A reason why it was unwise to defer action in the matter was the fact that a considerable addition to the city's revenue was expected in 1915. . A large proportion of tho corporation leases either terminated or would bo revalued in 1913 and 1914; and tho Mayor had recently anticipated an additional income of *£30,000 a rear from that source/ It was quite certain that the Increased rental would represent interest, sinking fund and maintenance on a ptiblic works policy of some magnitude, and it was not too early to begin to plan and devise the best way to spend tho # money. Dealing with the tramway service he said a. reference to the balance-sheet would not show that the financial results were discreditable to the management. He claimed that nil the council should expect was that the concern should pay its way by meeting all interest and sinking fund payments, and setting aside such depreciation and reserve funds as were considered necessary by experts. He claimed from a close study of tho figures that tho system returned about £3OOO into the general civic pocket, and the margin was so small that no further concession in fares should be made until it was proved that the working expenses could bo reduced to meet the concession. He went closely into the* cost of running the cars as compared with Christchurch. He believed it would be possible to so arrange the rurining of. the cars and tho hours of the men that a considerable saving would bo effected. He felt assured that. "loose screw” which had suggested an imported "screw driver” could be tightened without calling in an Australian expert, who would be ignorant of local conditions and requirements. Ho suggested placing the various departments connected with the undertaking under separata management. Touching on electric lighting he said he

was in favour of reducing the rates for power and lighting in cases where tho consumption could bo restricted to the hours when the demand was less, as a more equal output was the great essential of the enterprise. A sound system of time payment for installation and outfit might be developed to assist tho department. .Speaking of the rates, ho said it was not well to count too much on the increase of revenue amounting to £30,000 which it was estimated they would have when the corporation leases were revalued within the next three years. "I am not a pessimist,” he said in conclusion, I am a firm believer In Wellington's future, but it is well for that future to bear in mind to-day that a revaluation of city properties may reduce tho revenue from rotes on the present scale —which is quite high enough-arid a considerable portion of the £30.000 may he needed to make up the deficiency* Tho rosy picture of £600,000 capitalised at o per cent, for a big public works policy may havo to bo toned down.” In reply to a question tho candidate said he was in favour of tho present system of Sunday concerts. ‘On the motion of Hr Hanning, seconded by Mr Wilkinson, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Jenkinson for his address.

MB S. J. MORAN, ADDRESS AT DRUIDS' HALL. At the Druids' Hall last evening Mr R. J. Moran, a candidate for the City Council, addressed the electors. Mr D. R. Lawlor presided, and there were about fifty persons present. Mr Moran said this was tho second occasion on which he had stood 'before the electors as a candidate for municipal honours. Ho claimed to have been the first—apart from the Labour party —to havo introduced a new feature into municipal election campaigns by addressing the electors. It had been said that to address tho electors was not good form, and not customary; in fact, one gentleman had told him ho did not deem it necessary that addresses should delivered prior to municipal elections. With those arguments ho did not agree. Ho stood ns an independent candidate. Tho Labour party had placed a ticket in tho field, but tho time was not ripo for majority representation of any one party. Closer attention should be paid to technical education. Tho history of those European countries which had approached this matter seriously 'showed that technical education was one of the finest things to develop the commercial instincts. The State should insist upon some system of technical education, (f that were done tho transition would bo easy from the hands of the State to tho municipality, and the latter would be able to take upon itself the cultivation of those Instincts which had ever been in the minds of children. Tho methods of. tramway traffic running and the duplication of services required remedying. More attention should be paid to the matter of existing slums. There were many old buildings—amongst them some belonging to the City Council —' that needed pulling down. He would not like to put a pig into some of the buildings in the city. Provision should bo mado for the. paying off of existing loans. At the present time there was a sum of .6321,374 in respect of which there was no provision of any kind made for sinking fund. The outlying districts should receive more particular attention. It was unfair to ask those districts to como into a union with the

ty when their interests were entirely swampied. A need existed for tho better cleansing of the city streets. The main thoroughfares should be occasionally flushed. Regarding tho supply of milk to tho city, there should bo a central depot through which milk supplied to the community should pass. Such a system was in vogue in Australia and was entirely successful. Replying to questions, the candidate said unless the term of the Glasgow

?ase was profitable to tho council he lid not believe it should be continued. He was in favour of Saturday closing. Of course some tradespeople would suffer, but they had to consider, first of all, the people engaged in shops, because they formed the majority of the citizens. He would support the principle every time. It was not advisable to start municipal markets at then resent time, as they would not pay. He was in favour of tho tramway running through the Basin Reserve. It was a matter for regret that such a course should be adopted, but the interests of the city demanded it. A vote of confidence was passed to the candidate. MR FULLER'S CAMPAIGN. Mr Fuller delivered addresses at Lyall Bay and Kilbirnie last evening. He said he was, greatly pleased with, the bombardment of questions submitted to him in the presence of such large attendances, for it showed interest in his candidature. It was not his style to make "catch vote” promises, for he preferred not to be elected under such circumstances. H© did not seek election for honour, but to be a worker in the interests of citizens. Tho anxious haste of the late council to improve the tramway service at its dying moments must bo apparent to most electors. Ho thought this extraordinary, and without doubt a great compliment to the now candidates who had drawn attention to the fact that' citizens desired a more convenient service. MR BEDFORD. Mr W. Scott Bedford spoke for about an hour from the Queen's statue at midday yesterday to a large attendance. He severely criticised the Mayor's action regarding tho contract for advertising on tramcars. A vote of thanks and confidence was carried unanimously. Mr Bedford spoke at Wadestown in tho evening to a large audience, and received a vote of thanks. DR CAMERON'S PLATFORM. The platform of Dr Cameron, a candidate for the City Council, is to bo found, in another column. Standing as an independent, Dr Cameron contends that tho high cqst of living Is on© of the main causes crippling our industries and manufactories, and also of racial suicide and racial degeneration. He advocates co-operation with the Government to prevent the formation of trusts and monopolies, and tho establishment of municipal markets, which would bring producer and consumer into direct dealing and thereby save middlemen's profits and charges. He will firmly oppose the present market site being used for this purpose, it being,too expensive and absolutely unsuitable. Tho candidate urges that City Council representatives in Parliament should give careful considoral to all Customs duties on the necessaries of life. Ho is an advopate of sound finance and no borrowing on shortdated debentures and avoidance of City Council "dabbling” in matters that it knows little about. H© is- opposed to over-nvunicipalisation and too much interference (even by the Government) with tho liberties of the citizens. Dr Cameron states that he is absolutely opposed to the City Council doing its own fire and other insurancing, and starting in opposition to tho State and existing companies.

At the Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith street, last night, Dr Cameron dealt more fully with tho milk question than previously, and severely criticised the tramways and the position -that tho council was put in by having to own up in its dying hours that there had been mismanagement. The candidate strongly condemned the idea of getting an. expert from Australia to report on. the running of the trams. r MR JOSEPH MANDEL. Mr Joseph Mandel, a candidate for the City Council, addressed a meeting of about forty electors at tho Chamber of

Commerce at 5 p.m. yesterday. Mr Henry Kember presided. Mr Mandel said he was an independent and progressive candidate. A candidate, especially a new one, could not state a definite policy, as in the case of a political election, as bo must become acquainted with the inner workings of municipal affairs before ho was in a position to see what would bo beneficial to the city. Ho was not going to work for any particular section of the community, but for the benefit of all. The tramway rolling stock was totally inadequate, and the present overcrowding, especially in wot weather, must bo injurious to health. If elected bo would us© all his energy to rectify tho present conditions. Tho trouble with tho corporation employees should be settled by the council, not by tho Arbitration Court, the council being better able to judge what was a fair living _ wage. The city was equal to any in the Dominion as for as health and residential qualities were concerned, and with little expenditure on the beautification of the bills could be mado ono of the most attractive cities in tho Dominion. As a citizen of thirtyfive years standing, who had made a success of numerous undertakings—and with the necessary time to devoto to municipal affairs—he might be of some service to assist in tho efficient management of the business of tho city. Tho meeting passed a unanimous vote of thanks and- confidence in tho candidate and formed itself into a committee to further his candidature.

MESSRS CAMERON, McKENZIE AND McINTYBE: Messrs R. A. Cameron, Len. McKenzie, and C. Mclntyre addressed electors, at tho Alexandra Hall last evening. There a fair attendance. Mr W. Miller the chair. The candidates received an appreciative hearing and votes of confidence. COMING MEETINGS. Mr John Castle, a-t Newtown, on Monday. Mr E. Gallichan, at the Tiffin, Man» net's street, on. Monday. * Messrs Cameron, Mclntyre and McKenzie, at Brooklyn, on Monday. Mr-John Fuller jun., Northland, and KelburjLO. on Monday. Mr John Brodie, at Worsen Bay, on Monday. Mr B. Fletcher, at Concert Chamber, Town Hall, on Monday. Mr L. McKenzie announces his platform in this issue. Mr Sydney H, Underwood asks for votes at the Miramar Council election. Mr G. Shirtcliffe publishes his platform. . Mr Joseph Handel's policy is announced to-day. Mr A. B. Hornblow solicits support in hicandidature. Mr F. Cohen announces his candidature.

Mr V. Jensen informs electors of his intentions. The committee of the Citizens' League has selected Mr E. Gallichan-as a member of the ticket, vice Mr H. Price. ADDRESS AT FELINE MB PIPER'S CAMPAIGN. Mr Joseph Piper addressed a fair number of electors in St. Augustine's Hall. Petone, last evening, the chair being taken by Mr S. V. Burridge. Mr Piper, replying to the statement that he* had opposed everything that cam© before the council, did not deny the accusation, but said he had good reason for his attitude. He opposed the tramway scheme because they wanted the ratepayers' money for more important work. Some time ago ho moved a motion for an inquiry to find out where the leakage was in the affairs of tho gasworks, but his motion had. been promptly rejected. His action, in regard to tho procuration of a pumping plant and drainage scheme for the borough and the non-efficient state of the sanitary depot were also fully dealt wjth.by the speaker. The question of certain by-laws relative, to the erection of buildings outside the residential area and the system of granting licenses to plumbers were also placed before the meeting. He was seeking re-election on the council to advocate a more economical method of spending tho ratepayers' money, and the betterment of the borough as a whole, LOWER HUTT ADDRESS BY MR BUNNY. Mr E. P. Bunny addressed.’ a largelyattended meeting of ratepayers at St. James' Hall, Lower Hutt, last evening, in support of liis candidature for the Mayoralty of Lower Hutt. Dr Mason presided. .Mr Bunny detailed the financial position of the borough when he took office in 1909, compared with the present position. The fact that the ratable valuation had been considerably reduced during tho term, meant a decrease in the rates collected. Yet despite this the position li£\d materially improved. In March, 1909, the debit balance on the general account was .£8317. In March last this stood at £8272, although extraordinary expenditure amounting to .£4OO had been unavoidably incurred during the past twelve months. In 1909 the gas account debit balance stood at .£4BO. Now it stood at .£249, while a sinking fund had been established at a cost of .£2OO which, would ultimately wipe off tho gas loon of *£9500. In regard to* administrative costs, the clerical management had entailed an increase of <£2o annually, but the expenses in the engineering department had been reduced from .£B6O to *£s2B per annum. Then there was the gain affected in consolidating various loans not provided with sinking funds into one loan,of .£23,000 at an annual saving of .£95, thus allowing for establishing a sinking fund which would wipe out the loan in thirty-six years. Further, the £52,000 loan raised in 1906 liad had no provision mad© for paying it off,'but. now a sinking fund of £ per cent, was established, and £950 had. already been paid off. /11l this bad been affected without increasing the rates. The two sewerage loans of £IO,OOO each recently raised, had been obtained through the prompt action of the speaker, when the State-guaranteed advances were first introduced, at exceedinglv favourable terms, and would wipe themselves out, the first in thirty-six years and the second in forty-one years. Considerable trouble had arisen-with the water-supply pumping .plant, chiefly through the neglect of the former engineer to test the plant when first installed. Had this been done tho makers could have been called upon to make good tho inability of the plant to do what the y had claimed it would do. However, the present engineer had effected- some improvement and tho most that would be .required to render the plant efficient would be the expenditure of about £SOO on additional pumps. THE HUTT ROAD. Tho speaker trenchantly criticised the action of the Government in .claiming £IOO,OOO from local bodies for the construction of the new Hutt road. When the Act authorising its construction was passed tho total cost .for the road, reclamation, and railway had been put down as £IOO,OOO. No on© knew what was being done afterwards.. No local body had been consulted, no specifications had been submitted, and no consent had been asked from tho local bodies interested. Yet the of Railways coolly presented a bill for £IOO,OOO, and when the local bodies demurred be had accused them of attempting to repudiate their agreement. It behoved each local body to insist'-upon a searching inquiry as to-how the enormous cost had been entailed. This inquiry should be mado at once —before any commission to appor-

tion the liabilities and before, moreover, the approaching election. THE TRAMWAY QUESTION.

Mr Bunny next took the Hutt Valley Tramways Board to task for its action in persisting in the endeavour to foist upon the ratepayers a scheme they had already declared they did not want. Had tho board dissolved when tho first proposal had been turned down eaoh borough could liave gone into tho question independently. He personally favoured a motor-bus service, and from inquiries he was satisfied that an efficient service could bo established for £5060. But owing to a special provision nothing could be done while the board remained in existence. An expenditure of £IOO9 had been incurred, quite unnecessarily. Asked why the price of gas to consumers had not been reduced, seeing that the council were now obtaining it at a more favourable price, Mr Bunny said there was a loan of £9SCO upon the ratepayers. He had showed how this was be-ing wiped out, and ho believed that until this was accomplished there should bo no reduction in the price. (Applause). A number of minor questions were asked, and then Mr A. Roots, a candidate for a sent in. the council, briefly addressed tho meeting.