THE MAYORALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24606, 14 May 1941, Page 8

THE MAYORALTY

MEETING AT SOUTH DUNEDIN ADDRESS BY MR ALLEN FINANCING OF RENEWALS Mr A. H. Allen, who is seeking; reelection to the city mayoralty, addressed a meeting of about 130 electors in the South Dunedin Town Hall last night. The chair was occupied by Mr A. G. Valentine. In his opening remarks, Mr Allen expressed himself as strongly opposed to party politics in civic administration, and said that, throughout the three years the present council had been in office no suggestion of party had entered- into its discussions, and not one caucus meeting had been held. After dealing with the municipal housing scheme and the street improvements plan, Mr Allen discussed the budget brought down by the retiring council at its final meeting and emphasised that ratepayers whose valuations had not been altered would actually pay less in rates at the end of the present year than they did at the end of last vear. After all, what concerned the ratepayer was not how his rates were made up, but how much, he would have to pay. In conclusion, Mr Allen referred to a question asked by Dr McMillan on the previous evening, challenging him to deny that the Labour Council had spent £119,000 more on real renewals out of the renewal funds than the retiring council had spent during the past three years. Between 1935 and 1938, Dr McMillan had said the Labour Council had spent £274,000 on renewals as against £155,000 spent by the retiring council. "I will not deny the statement," Mr Allen said. "The figures are approximately correct, but I would point out that renewal funds are always fluctuating, and during some periods the calls are heavier than at others." Mr Allen went on to explain that the Labour Council, during its term of office, decided, to overhaul the water reticulation, and on that alone spent .£51,651, whereas the retiring council had found it necessary to spend only £19,878 on the same work. Then again, the Labour Council had expended £125,720 on renewals in connection with the Electrical Department, involving among other matters the installation of a conduit to replace -a pipeline at Waipori, which had carried away. These items of expenditure, however, had nothing at all to do with the diversion of renewal funds for extraneous purposes. One question asked Mr Allen at the conclusion of his address was: " Is there any truth in the rumour that you receive a remuneration for your work in connection with the Patriotic Fund? " '' I do not receive one penny," Mr Allen replied, "but I have put many pounds into it," A hearty vote of thanks to the candidate and confidence in him brought the meeting to a close.

dr McMillan at roslyn RATING ISSUE STATED EXPOSITION OF POLICY "Let us see," said Dr McMillan opening his address at the Roslyn Presbyterian Hall last night, " what the newspaper reports have brought forth today? Mr Allen wants to know what I have dene for patriotic work and lest he should receive the wrong answer hastily answers it himself. This personal type of attack does not appeal to me. much, but as the question has been asked I will give him one illustration. " On Anzac Day a special appeal was put over the air for the " Comforts to Soldiers'' Fund. I . was . asked to speak in the appeal and; knowing the narrow path 4ZB has to tread, I said I would enly speak if Mr Allen was also" speaking. I was assured that he was and prepared my piece accordingly. Just before going down however. I got in touch with the station and it chanced to be remarked that Mr Allen was not talking as he was going out of town and would not have time. I immediately said that if he was net speaking I could not, lest an N incorrect impression be given, so for once the supposedly busy person had most leisure. Will the Mavor comment on that? I do not believe in personal questions in a campaign, but I must reply when my opponent pays to ask them. Street Improvements "Mr Allen also takes exception to my showing that his administration did much less new sealing work of carriageways, footpaths, etc., than the previous council. I quoted them cnly because in his 1938 manifesto he pledged himself to do more," Dr McMillan said. His reference to street widening and walling is not only beside the point, but also unfortunate. There is one glaring case where a citizen gave land valued at about £BO for street widening and in return the council spent £214 on his frontage excavating and erecting not only street walls, but also most of his garage walls, too. I objected in council at the time. Much of the money spent on widening and walling would be better spent on sealing carriageways and constructing new footpaths in the suburbs. The Major Issue "The major issue at this election." continued Dr McMillan, "is the proposed increase in the general rate. At the last council meeting, the Citizens' Association Mayor and councillors carried a motion increasing the general rate from 2s 2d to 2s 3d, nor must the rent payer overlook the fact that increased rates mean increased rents." It was not too late, however, for the men and women of Dunedin to have a say in this increase. Labour was pledged to a general rate of 2s Id. If the electors wanted a rate of 2s 3d they would vote Citizens, and if they wanted 2;s Id they would vote the Labour ticket. An interjector: " What about the total rate? It has come down Id." "Yes," said Dr McMillan, "it has come down a penny—but how? It is no good the Citizens' Association thinking they can bamboozle the electors in that way. It is true that the total rate, including the hospital and drainage rates was 4s 10d last year, and if they are returned will be 4s 9d next year because of the reduction of Id in the hospital rate and Id in the drainage rate—two rates over which the council has no control. If Labour is returned the ratepayers will not only get the benefit of these reductions they will also get the benefit of a reduction in the general rate. So to fight the Citizens' Association on the issue chosen by themselves—if you want a total rate of 4s 9d vote Citizens' Association, if you want a total rate of 4s 7d vote the full Labour ticket" Platform Points Dr McMillan proceeded to outline Labour's civic policy, including housing, reduced electricity charges, better transport services, roads and footpaths for the suburbs, etc. He said that he was sorry that a section of Mr Allen's backers seemed to think that the most effective method of electioneering was per medium of the anonymous letter. They had specialised in it in 1938 and had even descended to such tactics against their colleague, Mr Cameron, when he desired to go into the Citizens' selection ballot against Mr Allen. , "The innuendoes and personal attacks being made on me to-day are no more correct than were the unworthy suggestions that Mr Cameron lacked sportsmanship because he opposed Mr Allen when the 'rift in the lute'

occurred. The letters were probably written by the same people who are attacking me to-day." Reply to Mr Allen Dr McMillan then replied to a number of points raised by Mr Allen at his North-East Valley meeting. When saying that some people who boi'rowed money from the council for housing had lost their homes, why had his opponent not given the figures? he asked. Why had he not told the audience that the council had not lost one single penny piece? Why? Why had he not told the audience that of the 260 families that borrowed money for houses only two had abandoned their properties, and of those two one had put down £25 and the council gave him £lB back and the other, who had also put down £25. got 2k months' free housing and got that in lieu of a refund, so that the council had not lost a copper. The council had allowed 16 transfers and cancelled one application. Dr McMillan concluded by appealing to all to vote for whatever policy they thought in the best interests of che city and its citizens. Questions Not Accepted Prior to the address the chairman, Mr T. Jenkins, stated that as the candidate had to speak at that and at two other meetings, he was not prepared to answer any questions. There would be a big meeting at the Town Hall on Friday night, at which Dr McMillan would answer any questions put to him. Dr McMillan's address was punctuated by only two interjections. Employees on Service At the Macandrew Road School Hall, Dr McMillan referred to the differential treatment in the way of subsidy given to employees who joined the armed forces. If an employee were drawn in a ballot he was eligible to have his case considered, but if he volunteered as he. had to in order to get into the Air Force, he was not eligible until he went overseas. "I stand for equal treatment for all and special favours for none," said Dr McMillan in conclusion. (Extended report by arrangement.) LABOUR CANDIDATES Labour candidates for seats on various local bodies addressed meetings in different parts of the city last night. In the Macandrew Intermediate School Hall Miss M. Egan, Mr W. Ruttledge and Mr P. Neilson, MP., addressed a small gathering of approximately 15 persons. The candidates enunciated the aims of their party in respect to the possible future policies of the Otago Hospital Board, the Otago Harbour Board and the Dunedin City Council respectively. Nine electors assembled in the Methodist Hall at Woodhaugh to listen to addresses by Mrs H. Bullen, Mr D. Copland and Mr M. Connelly. M.L.C., who again outlined their policies concerning the bodies for which thev were standing. In the Presbyterian Hall, Kaikorai, addresses were also given by Mrs E. McMillan, Mr J. E. McManus and Mr E. T. Cox on lines similar to those previously delivered at other meetings earlier in the campsiign. At the close of Dr McMillan's address at Roslyn last night, Mr Mark Silver-stone,-a candidate for the City Council' and the Hospital Board, and Mr J. W. Munro. M.P., who is standing for the City Council and the Harbour Board, briefly outlined the Labour platform. TO-NIGHT'S MEETINGS Mr A. H. Allen.—Marigold Salon. Labour Candidates.—Russell Street Hall, Albany Street Hall. Opoho Presbyterian Hall, Holland Hall. Caversham. , . , Citizens' Candidates. Mormngton Methodist Sunday School Hall.