The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1923. THE CITY ELECTIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17013, 11 April 1923, Page 6

The Star. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1923. THE CITY ELECTIONS.

The campaign in connection with the C itv OottnciJ eJecfeiotiK lia? now been fairly launched. Last evening four of the nominees of the Citizens’ Association addressod a public meeting, and it 11-fty be assumed that the citizens will hear from the other candidates shortly. There are three groups which are pressing, their claims for i*ecognition—the Citizens’ A.sseciation ticket, the Labour Tarty and the Independents. The election will be held under the system o* proportional i*opresentation, so no party will have a c.-kance of “scooping the pool.” Judging by the results of the Ijtst municipal election the Citizens’ and Labour tiok-efcs will secure the majority of the seats, the Independents securing riiree or four. The contest for numerical supremacy in the council between the Citizens’ Association aiul the Labour Party lias been a keen one in the past, and there are indications that none of the keenneas vrill be relaxed <> n this oocasion. The Labour Party i-s definitely working to secure a majority on the council. It >« by no Rleana a seoret the deeision of the li«bour Representation Committee not to nominate a candiat* for the Mayoralty was dictated by the apprehension that the party might not only fail to elect its candidate but would run a big risk of haring it* strength on the council reduoed. Labour would hare to put up on* <>f it* strongest men to contest the Mayoralty, and the ta«k ol finding a strong enough man to fill liso vacant place on the list ef council candidates might not- be a.n easy one. As far as the Mayoralty is concerned w<- do not think that the city could <ic, better than elect Mr J. A. Flesher, -i° is well qualified for tlve j>osition. Hi-i exposition of the financial situa tior of bhe city showed that practical efiorts Are being made to ensure tliat the city will pay it* way. ft is time that a serious effort was made to ease the financial burden on the citizens as a whole, because it cannot be argued that it ia-lls entirely on the ratepayers alone. The best way to secure relief

! = to hare a strict check on expenditure and careful but not cheese-paring administration. Mr Flesher’* downrightness will lx? a valuable asset to iho city at this time, and it cannot be denied that, as far as service is concerned. he has earned the honour which he* is seeking at the hands of the citizens. We would hare been glad to Lave heard ?• more progressive note struck i>r the candidates for the council They were at*some pains to defend the concert chamber proposal, about which the citizens hare expressed their minds freely in the past. If the citizens desire to possess a Town Hall worthy of the oly within a reasonable poriod they ill reject the council’s proposal. It c«r.not bo denied that if the concert (bainber is erected the building of a I ow n Hall will he put back indefinitely, r.nd probably abandoned a-; far as the present generation is concerned. We think that the sum asked for is an extravagant one in any case. Tt L 1 egret table that the Citizens’ Association candidates arc making the concert chamber their leading policy question. Wo arc glad to see that Mr J. D. Gray i> in favour of further facilities being ( flered in connection with the public baths. The position there will never bo satisfactory until the baths are duplicated, and one set reserved for vomen. Tf the council must spend money on new schemes it *ould drop The concert hall and build a second l«pid swimming pool. Wc commend the suggestion to Mr Gray’s notice.