B^ntC/i THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

NZ Truth, Issue 198, 3 April 1909, Page 4

B^ntC/i

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

Published Eveey Saturday Mobnma at Luke's lane (off manners- . street), Wellington, n,z. . subscription (m advance), -18s, PEB ANNUM. SATURDAt, AP_RIL 3, 1909.

Though, pernaps, .ratner early to thoroughly discuss the chances of candidates. ' at the forthcoming Mayoral elec--tion, for the best of -reasons that all the denuiteiy announced camuuales have not outlined their policies, and because we do not yet know tor certain .how many starters will line up at the barrier, it seems to "Truth" that the real fightwiti bo between Messrs vviitbrtt and Fisher. Mr Bolton and- Or. Newman are taking their chances, and some uncertainty exists .as to whether or not the Hon. J. AMgg, M.L.0., will stand m the interests of Labor. Mr Wilford, so far, has not entered on ids campaign, from which, of course, it can properly be inferred that he first prefers to hearior read the policies outlined by his opponents, so the rendering of Mr vvitoord's policy will be all the more interesting when he takes the ratepayers into his coiltitlr.jjec- l-nt'il, however, ivlr wi'lford has been heard it would not be injudicious on this paper's part to cnx-isc the platforms of those candidates who have taken to the field. Jioweyer, it seems certain that the fight will be between Messrs Wilford and Fisher, because both are prominent public men, who can confidently claim, because of their prominence m public life, . a more serious attention from the ratepayers than; at least can Mr Bolton and Dr.. Newman. These remarks are intended only as a sort of* preliminary canter,- as it is - inevitable that ere polling day comes round, this paper must have a grea>t ucal more to say on municipal matters, and the scramble for Ithe chair of the city's Chief Magistrate. We must, however, state ai once that we refuse to take Dr. Newmans candidature seriously. He might be, m certain sections, an esteemed anu popular little medico, but the fact that Dr. Wewman is so closely iitentilied with sundry sporting, bodies, that he is a dapper little person, a clubman and high-toned cultivated gentleman m many respects, are no reasons why Wellington shoula seriously entertain his oner to assume the mantlo about to be discarded by Mr Hislop. Tliere is another phase to be considered and that is whether m the past Dr. Newman has played the part that justly entitles him to, the confidence of the ratepayers, and that phase, at a later date. Truth" will deal with. What earthly chance of becoming Mayor of Wellington Mr Boiton has this paper cannot see. Almost at the eleventh hour he decides to enter into the campaign. What Mr bolton can claim to have done for Wellington m any capacity we will be pleased to learn, bo long as he confined his municipal attention to Eastbourne, Mr: Bolton would no doubt have done well for himself and^he ratepayers of that borough, but it looks as if his intrusion into tuc arena of Wellington municipal matters is unwarranted. Axe seems to this paper to have justified the sobriquet '> Wrecker," because his chance of success are nil, the fact of him going to the ' poll must tt seriously interfere with the chances of Mr Wilford, who , certainly has claims on the Wellington ratepayers. We should be exceedingly sorry to find that the story of the Wellington South Parliamentary election will, be repeated ifl the Mayoral election. Mr Bolton having decided to stand, will hardly blame the ratepayers if, during the course of his campaign, some perhaps impudent questions are asked him. His candidature is a mistake. If it is actuated by a personal and professional dislike of Mr Wilford, it is the more to he -regretted, because this much is certain, wherever Mr Wilford is placed, Bolton will be below him. Making bold to assert that the real contestants m the Mayoral election will be Mr Wilford and Fisher, and allowing for the fact that the first-named has yet to enunciate his platform, "Truth" thinks that it is an opportune moment to compare the claims that both candidates have on the ratepayers. The opinions we held of Mr • Fisher at . the time he was opposed by Mr Hislop for the Wellington constituency . still hold I good. His victory was not such a glorious one, because it was really the first time that this conceited catspaw of Tommy Taylor met with serious opposition. True, he was elected, but then, as now "the son of old George" racket was worked for ail it was worth. This young man is trading on the popularity of his deceased father, but one has failed, to find m the son of his father any great ability or power to deal with such urgent and serious matters which, as Mayor of Wellington, would confront him. Fisher is far from seasoned. Assuredly his young age is no crime, but we are certain that a further course of study m municipal matters m the capacity of councillor, would, at a distant date, qualify this rail-sitting, mares-nest iindinef young Tribune, for the position of Mayor of Wellington, always providing that there was any great desire on the ratepayer's part to elect him to such a responsible position. The very fact that Mr Wilford's abilities have placed him m the forefront of our legislators, that he is spoken of as a possible Minister of the Crown, the continuance of confidence that his constituents reposed m him ten years ' ago, the fact that he is now entering on his second term as Cnairman of The Harbor Board, the high enconiums passed on him by members of that Board for his administrative powers, are all circumstances which must, indeed, be seriously taken into account by ratepayers m choosing the Mayor. True, Mr Wilford on two occasions has unsuccessfully contested the Mayoralty, but his defeat on those occasions was, at best, an indication from ratepayers that he

was not mature enough to accept the responsibilities of the office. Since JUr Wilford last went to the poll, lie has shown' his qualities as an administrator as Chairman of the Harbor Board, and the result of his first term as Chairman was such that he was really re-elected without opposition. "Truth" considers that Mr Wilford's chances of becomjng Mayor of Wellington are particularly rosy. At anyrate, the opening speech of his campaign will be awaited with interest. Subsequently more will he said on. this very important matter.