MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13875, 12 April 1907, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

A very largo and enthusiastic meeting oi tlie supporters' of the candidates brought forward by tho Ratepayers and Householders' Association for 'the City Council— Messrs J. Srfall, J. E. White, and H. 11. &. White—was held last evening. Strong committees wore appointed to canvass the ward, and very encouraging; reports were received. The ratepayers aro taking a very keen interest, in the election. A meeting of the committee which is supporting Mr Isaac Green's candidature for tho mayoralty of North-East Valley was hold-en Tuesday evening. Mr Earquharson occupied tho chair. There was a larpo attendance, and very satisfactory reports were submitted. A meeting of the supporters of Messrs R. Rreen and J. W. Munroe, the nominees of tho Independent Political Labour League for tho representation of Lcith Ward in tho City Council was held last evening l . J-hcro was a very large attendance. Mr ft. I!. Douglas was unanimously elected chairman of the committee and Mr J. Farl'ell secretary, It, was decided that tho ward bo thoroughly canvassed in the interests of ihc candidates, both of whom addressee! tlm mooting, placing before 'thoso present their views on Ihe various questions embodied in the manifesto ofthe league. Mr fircen, in dcaJuiT with the reforms which his party hoped lo bring into effcct in tho event of the ratepayers returning them to represent the ward in the City Council, dealt at considerable length with the various planks of the Labour platform which he was pledged to support, and 1.«.! d stron" emphasis on the_ desirability of breaking down tho various monopolies which threatened to develop into huge dimensions in Duncdin. It, was, he stated, tho duty of the council to step in whore trusts were I likely to tako hold of a community. No attempt, Mr Breen stated, hsjl previously boen made to put into practical shapo any movo in the direction of establishing markets in our city in order that every endeavour should be made to bring the'prcducer in touch with the consumer. The candidate also made pointed reference to tho fact that their opponents stated that tho Labour League was making a strong effort to intro dues class representation in the council whereas the other side was running three (andidntcs who were pledged to support a class out of all sympathy with the whgecarncrs cf the town. The first move on the part of the league's representatives, were they elected, would be to see that Is per hour would bo the minimum wage as far as the works of tho corporation were concerned. Mr Brcen said lie believed that the workers would stand loyal to those under tho banner of Labour, aiid that their sole efforts would be to foe t.hat the municipal aitairs of Duncdin would be so conducted that tho wage-earner would bo in a belter position than in nast years. Mr Munro spoke on practically the 6amc lines as Mr and referred to the fact that, tho leagues platform embraced many muchneeded reforms, which, if brought into effect, would benefit tho workers, and not, as many affirmed, cause any increase in tho rates. It was decided that both candidates address the ratepayers in the interval between tho present time and the date of election. Councillors P.oss, George, Cray, Thomson. Duncan, Crawley, Sfoiith, and Crosland intend seeking re-election for the various wards in the Porough of West Harbour. Mr S. B. Mnedonald will be a candidate for Park Ward, St. Kilda.