MUNICIPAL ELECTION

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11423, 20 January 1923, Page 5

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

SELECTION OF CANDIDATES LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS ADVOCATE COMBINED ACTION. THE MAYORALTY. A well-attended and representative meeting, called by the Wellington Civic League, was held this week to consider matters relating to the coming municipal elections. Invitations had been extended to representatives of the various municipal electors’ and progressive associations, and, in addition to several from the centre of the city, there were twelve districts represented at the meeting. Mr Stuart Wilson was voted to the chair.

Proceedings opened with a general expression of the views of those present. It was agreed that those present could only confer and report to the several bodies represented at this stage, and that another meeting be called at an early date, to which all the municipal electors’ and other progressive associations and councils shall be asked to send delegates with power to act. The following motion was carried unanimously:—“That this meeting affirms the desirability of united action in the matter of selecting candidates for the local bodies at the forthcoming municipal elections, and that the delegates present be asked to convey to their various bodies with which they are con - nected the views enunciated at this meeting and report to a future meeting, with full power to act on behalf of the associations in which they are interested.”

As a means of assisting in the progress of business, a committee of five, with power to add, was appointed to go into the question of finance, organisation, the selection of candidates and other matters: such committee to forward recommendations to the several associations concerned. Letters will he sent to these associations, and they will be invited to supply their suggestions and recommendations. As it was felt that there might be multiplicity of candidates for the public office, the view was held that citizens seeking election might be invited to submit their names to a selection committee which could be appointed. Gome interesting discussion took .place ’ on the questions of the city’s financial administration, general policy, and methods of administration. The general opinions expressd were in the direction that, whilst changes were required, the matters of policy should be considered most carefully. There being one or two associations not represented at the meeting, the secretary was authorised to arrange deputations to wait on these bodies and invite their co-operation in the movement.

It was reported by the secretary that the president of the league, Colonel G. Mitchell, had intimated that as his name was mentioned as a probable candidate for the mayoralty, he would not take part in the present meetings called by the league. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. THE MAYORALTY MR R. A. WRIGHT. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wrigjit, M.P.) has definitely announced that he will seek re-election at the municipal elections to he held in April. He added that he was anxious during his term of offioe to see the completion of the new power-house at Evans Bay and the change-over to the new electrioal system after the Mangahao power was connected up with the city, and also of the water supply tunnel at Orongorongo. These highly important works had been pushed ahead considerably during the two years he had occupied the Mayoral ahair, and he wished te see them through. It was reasonable to expect that they would be completed within the next two years. MR G. MITCHELL. Mr G. Mitchell, late member of Parliament for Wellington South, states' that he is willing to offer his services to the citizens it desired. “I have received numerous requests to stand for the office of Mayor from large and email deputations and representative bodies,” he said. “These requests have come from .all parts of the city and from all classes, some from the leading business people, and some from working men. I have made my attitude quite clear to all supporters who have waited on me. The Civic League and the various municipal elecassociations throughout the city and suburbs will shortly meet and decide upon their nominee for the position of Mayor and councillors. If they honour me with their nomination, I will stand against all-comers, and if elected I will devote the whole of my time and ability in the interest of our city and her people, and will do all in my power to assure for Wellington tlie leading place as the political, commercial, and social centre in our Dominion for all time. If the municipal electors’ associations do not nominate me, I shall stand down and loyally support the candidate they select.” THE LABOUR CANDIDATE. Affthdiigh ijHa {Labour Party will run a candidate for the Mayoral elcotion, they have postponed consideration of the matter for a fortnight, but the choice will probably fall on Councillor Chapman, who baa had nearly four years’ experience on the City Council. and has also served on the Hospital Board for some time.