MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9618, 26 March 1917, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

THE LABOUR "TICKET.’’ On open air meeting was held at Ghuznee street on Saturday evening, in connection with the Labour "ticket'-” for the local bodies elections. Mr Montoith was chairman. Among the speakers were Mr I”. C. Webb, M.P.. Air H. E. Holland, Mr Wiles, Mr E. Kennedy and Mrs Beck. Mr Webb emphasised the need of Labour to be strongly represented in city councils, as. he remarked, the Government made a point of stating, when attacked on their policy,- that the local bodies had carried resolutions supporting the Military Service Act. Further, that the present councillors were friends of the food profiteers who were gathering in their ungodly gains from the workers of this country. At the Alexandra Hall last night, under the auspices of the Wellington Social Democratic Party, a lecture was given by Mr C. H, Chapman (Labour candidate for the City Council) on "Civic Unties.” In his opening remarks the speaker said that a well-conducted city council could be likened to a well-con-ducted family. What would happen to a family where some of the members had special privileges over the other members—say for instance, that Tom and Bill were allowed to express their thoughts when and where they liked. and when Harry and Paddy endeavoured to do the same as their brothers had done the city fathers promptly downed the "bad” hoys. This was oniv one instance out of many where the City Coun_ cillors had given special privileges to exclusive persons which they denied to members of the working class. The lecturer quoted from an article which had recently appeared in one of the public journals recording the work of the Citv Council to show that even the pres, ent council's press friends were unable to approve of the policy of the present councillors, especially on the milk question. What had the council done during the past two years to protect the children from the bad effects of adulterated milk? He criticised the tramway policy of the present council, who seem to run the service more particularly for profit rather than for comfort, otherwise the ears would not he allowed td be overcrowded as at present, and a better service would be provided. The question of leasing sections of the town belt to little wealthy cliques of citizens would not he the policy of Labour, who would guard the interests of the community as a whole rather than, for individuals. _____