CIVIC GOODWILL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 112, 15 May 1941, Page 6

CIVIC GOODWILL

LABOUR’S OBJECTIVE SERVICE TO COMMUNITY MR. ROGERS’ CAMPAIGN , Civic goodwill based on service to all sections of the community was the main plank in the Labour Party’s platform, and contrary to what had been stated by their opponents, members of the party were free at all times to vote according to their own judgment and common sense, declared speakers in St. Paul’s Hall last night, when the ; Hon. W. J. Rogers, M.L.C., an 1 other Labour candidates contest- * ing seats at the municipal anil local body elections, addressed a well atlended meeting.

Mr. C. McKenzie, who presided, paid a tribute to the work accomplished by Mr. Rogers since he was first elected Mayor in 1927. and described him as being a friend of ail the people. All Labour members of local bodies In Wanganui could give a logical and democratic reason for every vote eves cast, said Mr, J. J. Scott, a sitting member of the City Council, Harbour Board, and Power Board, who is again seeking election. Mr. Rogers spoke on the same lines as previously, and also replied to criticism that had been made regarding a “lack of leadership" in Wanganui. He declared that leadership and co-operation had been shown in the city's affairs, and added that he was contented to leave this question for the electors to decide. At the end of the meeting. Mr. Rogers, moving a vote of thanks Io rhe chairman, sr.id the party's candidates never asked for a motion of confidence at their meetings. "We shall leate that to the ratepayers on Saturday.” Mr. Rogers added.

Mrs. E. M. Scott, who is a candidate for the Hospital Board, said this was one of the principal boards because it dealt with a very important question, the health of the people. Mrs. Scott added that since being on tiie ooard she had kept her pledge to serve the whole of the communit}’. She had always been free Io vote according to her own judgment. It was not correct to say that she was tied down because she belonged to the Labour Party. If sue nad believed That a measure was humanitarian and in the interests of the whole of the community, she had given ii her wholehearted support. Mr. R. P. Andrews, a candidate for the City Council, said he was unsuccessful three years ago, but was only 140 votes short o. being elected He would again assure citizens tha! if elected he would eadeavoui to serve the whole of the community and render the very best service possible. Wanganui had always appealed to him and after 12 years' residence in the city he had no hesitation in saying there was nothing wrong with Wanganui. Tram and Bus Services Mr. J. C Batt, who is also a candidate for the City Council, said he had been a resident of Wanganui for 20 years and was confident that if elected he would give useful service to the ratepayers. He believed in the policy of improved roads and footpaths, according to the funds available and was opposed to any increase in the rates. He had had considerable experience in transport and was of the opinion that the people living in the suburbs should have the best tram and bus services possible. He was also in favour of the city water supply being as pure as possible. It had been said by’ a Citizens’ Committee candidate that, there was a lack of talent on the Labour ticket, Mr. Brit added. He would remind his audier.ee, however, that some great men had risen from the ranks of the working classes. Mrs. K. Gould, a member of the Hospital Board, who is seeking reelection and also standing for the City Council, said she had always endeavoured to give the best possible service and. if re-elected, would continue to do so. "I am very pleased to be associated with the Hon. W. J. Rogers and other Labour candidates." said Mr. C. G. Fennell, who added that, for 20 years he had had practical experience of some of the largest undertakings in New Zealand. Trade Union Secretaries Referring to recent criticism, he said trade union secretaries were very useful adjuncts in all walks of industrial life. Mr. Winston Churchill had enlisted the services of five or six leading trade union officials in Britain, thus showing his appreciation of their ability to serve the whole community. Mr. S. J. Harris, a member of the City Council, who is seeking re-elec-tion, said he stood wholeheartedly behind the Labour Party’s policy. E> was not in favour of any increase in the rafts. The experience of every man on the council had proved that they’ were up against problems of finance. Interest on loans, sinking funds, capital payments, and rates levied by other bodies aggregated £74,000 of the city's revenue. Candidates nominated by the Cittizens' Committee, however, were endeavouring to instil in the minds of the public that they would all sorts of things if elected. The rate-I payers must see that the candidates ■ elected to the local bodies were men and women who would look after their interests. Mr. Harris added that he was well qualified to carry out lhe work required of him. not only’ as a member of the City Council, but also of the Power Board, for Which he was a candidate.

Mr. E. L. Healy, a candidate for the City council, said 11 v.as essential, particularly in the interests r/ the men overseas, that there should not be any muddling. The soldiers must come back to a Wanganui worthy of them. Britain was fighting to-day for democracy and. on Saturday, every cittizen in Wanganui should exercise his or her vote. A good poll was essential in the interests of the city, and in making their selections the ratepayers should vote for candidates who were prepared to administer the affairs of the city with wisdom and common sense. “Party Politics" Mr. A. W. Scoullar, who is again contesting the City Council election after being a mdmber the past

three years, referred to the work of the old council and said they had done their best with the finances available. Much had been said by the other side about party politics, but it was noticeable that when the Citizens’ League had a majority after the past elections they showed a definite party bias. Labour candidates had always acted in the interests of the whole of the community and the suggestion that they were tied up to party politics and had no independence was absurd.

Mr. W. Searle, who has served on the City Council for tile past year, said Labour had been accused of party bias. Citizens’ Committee candidates had repeatedly said, on the other hand, that they belonged to no party but in his opinion, Mr. Searle added, they had no policy. Labour had a definite policy based on civic goodwill and service. Mr. J. J. Scott, declared that the

! Citizens' Committee candidates, at. i various meetings had accused Labour lof muddling in local body affairs.

' Their statements were not correct. Mr. Scott added, and one need only look at. the records of the City Council to see which side had the majority after the last civic elections. Labour nad never been in power in the City ' Council, or any body in Wanganui, at any time. Following the 1938 elections the Citizens' League, which had declared that its candidates were strictly non-party and independents, had a clean majority on lhe City Council. In spite of their previous assurances, however, these candidates had shown that they were biassed. Not. one chairmanship or important part on any works committee was given to a member of the Labour Party, the Citizens’ candidates being solidly against them. But in spite of this, Labour was accused of muddling. “No New Legislation." i Since the last elections, Mr. Scott added, two of the Citizens’ candidates on the council had enlisted for military service and even though this had giver the Labour members a majority, they had agreed that under lhe cir-

cumstances they would not. introduce any new legislation to which other members were opposed. "I wonder wil'd would have happened if the bool' had been on the other foot," he added. On. Saturday the electors of Wanganui would be asked to select a new City Council, and also elect city members for the Power Board. Hospital Board, and Harbour Board. In the Labour candidates they had sound, practical men. many of whom had already been tried in local body affairs. Labour had an excellent ticket, and in the sitting Mayor. Hon. W. J. Rogers, the city' had a man who had won the hearts of the people, in spite of propaganda which may have been put about to belittle him. After next Saturday. however, people would realise that Mr. Rogers could nei er be replaced from the position he had won in the hearts of citizens. Mr. G. P. Hawkins, a sitting member of the City Council, who has > :r.in been nominated, referred to the city water supply and said the question would have to be reviewed. It was 100 serious a mailer to be left, as it was at present. <-pining his address. Mr. Rogers ap pealed to all electors to exercise their right to vote. He added that if the majority should decide that Mr. Tustin' whose right to contest the Mayoralty was undisputed, was more fitted to occupy this important position, he (Mr Rogers) would accept the decision with goodwill. He added that the campaign had been conducted in a very friendly way. Mr. Rogers said he had been elected Mayor on four successive occasions, and had done his best to faithfully represent all sections of the community, irrespective of party or creed. He paid a tribute to the spirit of co-operation shown by all Labour members on the various local bodies and the good work they had accomplished. Replying to a criticism made by Mr. H. C. Veitch, a Citizens' Committee candidate for the Power Board, who stated that “it was time Wanganui citizens' appreciated where lack of leadership in civic affairs was taking them," Mr. Rogers said he was quite happy to leave this question to the electors to decide.

Mr. Rogers added that he had never heard of any notable overseas visitors, including Royalty, vice-regal parties, and others, staying away from Wanganui because of this supposed "lack of leadership." Nor had there been any criticism of the way in which Wanganui has celebrated the centennial last year. The city had capable executive officers and staffs in all departments, and it was due to leadership and co-operation that the celebrations were such an outstanding success. Few other errtres in New Zealand had shown a credit balance, but Wanganui came out with a balance of £460 which was disposed of wisely. The recent demonstration of the Emergency Precautions Scheme was another example of leadership and cooperation. Medical, health, fire, food supply, police, and other services had worked together and all sections of the community were represented at the parade. He was sorry to see slighting references made to trade union secretaries Mr. Rogers added. Was the trade union secretary, he asked, any less respectable than the secretary of an employers' federation, or members of the !«lgai or any other profession? Labour members did understand the life and needs of the people, and municipal finance was no different from any other finance.