MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 109, 11 May 1938, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

CITIZENS’ LEAGUE FINAL APPEAL TO ELECTORS MR. G. H. TROTT’S STATEMENT “When the electors to-day are registering their vote they will really be stating a preference for, or an objection to. Socialistic administration.” stated Mr. G. IL Trott. Citizens’ League candidate tor the mayoralty, in his tinal appeal. “Since the advent of official Labour into local body affairs the qualifications its followers now demand of candidates are no longer those of ability, integrity or experience, bur merely that they shall hold what they consider to be the correct political bias toward Socialism and all that this term implies. Any person of broad outlook must recognise that the Labour viewpoint should be given an opportunity of expressing itself, but to assume that only those definitely in the Labour ranks can appreciate or present that outlook is manifestly wrong.

“Of the candidates not on the ticket’ who are offering themselves for election to the City Council, the majority, including myself, have had some years of practical experience as working men. To suggest that, because a man who. by enterprise, initiative, and determination has lifted himself from the po.-.-tion of the employed to that of the employer can have no sympathy or understanding for those with whom he has worked, is absurd. By reason of his experience as employed and employer he is surely better enabled, from the wide angle, to consider any proposal affecting the welfare of each. . “So far as my candidature for the mayoralty is concerned. I am offering the electors an opportunity or expressing their preference for sound administration based upon proved business practice and supported by experience, or Socialistic rule actuated by political prejudice and party bias. I maintain that a candidate’s .political opinions should not e permitted to affect hi' judgment in matters concerning the welfare of the city. There is no reason for political issues in the conduct of local bod.

LABOUR’S FINAL APPEAL i ISSUES BEFORE ELECTORS STATEMENT BY MR KOGERS j “Government of the people, by the •people and fur the people.” is just a.« applicable to municipal and local bcuy , government, as to national government,” stated Mi’ W. J. Rogers, candidate for Mayor, in his final appeal to the electors of Wanganui City. , “The past history of our city’s finr ances is well known, and is always bc- . ing brought up to dale as times goes * by. Full publicity has been given to ' the fact that last year it was necesI sauv to levy by way of city rate an ' amount of £109.020. plus a Harbour I Board rale of £15,685, making a total , of £124.705. How that money has ’ | been expended is already well known. ’ I “If tiie citizens desire that greater 1 • progress is necessary in the matter of . i expediting the tar-sealing of many more streets and a bigger mileage of

I footpaths than it has been possible to ;earry out of revenue, then they must jbe given the opportunity to say whether loans shall be be raised foi I not only this purpose, but for other urgent matters such as putting our water supply <>n an up-to-date basis, with a liltration plant, and also Hie improvement of our sewerage and drainage system. ‘ With the policy advocated by the Labour candidates I am in complete accord, and am quite satistied ’to stand or fall with these able persons | who- have the necessary ability io lake part in the affairs of municipal govei nment. "I am happy to be associated with all the Labour candidates who offci their services for the City Council, Harbour Board. Hospital Board, and Power Board, and feel sure that if the electors honour them with election they will have no regrets. So far as I myself am concerned I shall cheerfully accept the verdict of the tever it may be. be one ot continued confidence, then it will earnestly strive at all times to be worthy of it.”