FINAL RESULTS

Southland Times, Issue 22471, 6 November 1934, Page 7

FINAL RESULTS

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ■ 11 ■ — / LABOUR GAINS MANY SEATS ANTI-GRAFT MANIFESTO (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 3. An analysis of the final result of the municipal elections shows that Labour gained 770 seats and lost 29 and the Conservatives lost 635 seats and gained 41. Losses suffered by the Liberals and Independents brought Labour’s net gain to 741 seats. Labour now controls 15 out of the 28 London boroughs and 41 in the provinces. Of these 11 London and 13 provincial boroughs were gains, the remainder consisting of boroughs where Labour maintained its majorities. “No councillor’s father, son or daughter shall be eligible for any’ office or situation within the gift or appointment of the council, nor enter into any contract to do any work directly or indirectly, for the council,” says the London Labour Party, in one of the most candid anti-graft instructions ever issued. It is being despatched as a memorandum for the guidance of every newly-elected councillor in London. Hie memorandum, prepared prior to the election by the party, of which Mr Herbert Morrison, is secretaiy, . also declares that ex-councillors are similarly ineligible for three months after their councillorship ends. The memorandum adds that the executive committee could under no circumstances defend improper practices or influences in public administration. Contractors should be kept beyond arm’s length, and the only place for decisions on the council’s business is the Town Hall. A councillor’s relations with the staff should be mutually respectful and not personally intimate, and councillors must not use their influence to secure appointments of individuals.