MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13463, 18 April 1917, Page 4

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

MR LAFi-ER FY'S ADDRESS.

An address was delivered in the Town Hall last evening by .Mr C. Lalferty, a candidate for municipal honours at the forthcoming elections. There was a very iair attendance ot electors, nnd the chair was taken hv .Mr J. A. Youne M.P.

The chairman, in introducing the candidate, said that in coming before the electors, Mr Laifcrty was setting ail example which others would be wise in following. In his opening remarks, Mr Lafferty contended that an Act of Parliament should be passed, compelling every candidate lo place his views before the electors. He also thought that the Borough Council should provide the hall free for such addresses; and that the present Counicl should place the two years' tranactions of the Council before the electors, so that the latter might be in a position to judge whether they (the Councillors) had carried out the wishes of the electors. The present time, he considered, was most important in the history of Hamilton, now that the amalgamation of the two boroughs had been brought about. He had been an advocate of that amalgamation, and had also urged the linking up of the electrical scheme from Frankton, as against Hora Hora (applause). He had also been instrumental in converting one of the most ardent opponents to the amalgamation, in the person of the late Mayor of Frankton. He held that they should work in the best interests of both boroughs, and it behoved them to he fair to Frankton, and Frankton would be fair to them (applause). Borough Finance.

The speaker dealt at some length with the financial policy of the Council, and referred to the figures quoted by Mr Manning, when Mayor of the town in 1915, in the matter of rates, comparing same with other similar towns. At that time the rate was I|d, and the borough was in a sound condition. He then referred to a manifesto issued in April, 1915, by the.Mayor and six councillors, four of whom were now seeking re-election, and in which it was stated "that it has been our constant aim to carry out the works of the borough in a methodical and economical manner. This fact is evidenced that, notwithstanding the tremendous amount of permanent loading and footpath construction done during the past two years, there is still available a sum of £16,000 for further work in this direction. The financial position of the borough is undoubted. The best proof of this is shown by the demand for our loan debentures from the ieading financial institutions in the Dominion.' ' The candidate then proceeded to quote figures showing that out of the £40,000 strets loan there had been used for interest the sum of £IBOO out of capital, for which a rate should have been struck; and in addition to this the sum of £375 had been incurred, but not paid to the consulting engineer. This would have made the rate about 2{d. Construction of Roads. Referring to the macadam roadway construction, the speaker said that the total amount expended was £15,05). In connection with the corrugation in Victoria street it had been pointed out in 'ho council f'at the engineer had only to attend to new work, and that it was the business of the town clerk and the foreman of works to attenjl to such, but after some discussion, it was resolved that the engineer report on the matter, and the street had now been topdressed. Overdraft and Rating. Coming to the question of the overdraft, the candidate said 'that two years ago it was £5520, and to-day it amounted to £9215. If the principle of sound finance, said the candidate, had been emphasised at the general elections. then it should have been kept to, and the overdraft not allowed to increase to such an extent.

In connection with the Hamilton rating the rate 12 years ago was Id in the £, four years ago it was the same, two vears ago it was lj}d ,and to-day it was 3d in the £, and it was proposed to increase this by another ljd in the £. In addition to this the question of meeting the bank overdraft would have to be considered. The speaker next proceeded to criticise the policy in certain respects adopted in regard to the gasworks, pointing out that there had been a very substantial difference financially in the fitting department, resulting in a loss. This had not come about on account of the war, but, he considered, was caused by 'the removal of that department to its present site. Loan Expenditure.

The speaker next dealt with the matter of the streets loan of £40,000, and statcl that onlv £BOOO of that amount was spent in Hamilton East, whilst a considerable amount of the balance, and an additional loan of £ISOO had been spent in cutting down hills with an endeavour to drive the traffic from Frankton down Collingwood street. He next proceeded to criticise the methods of street expenditure, and contended that more thickly populated streets should receive more consideration in the face of what had been spent in Palmerston and Alexandra streets. The Staff.

The speaker said he would advocate the anointment of a permanent engineer, the placing of all workmen on a permanent footing, giving them the opportunity of making up broken time. If it was fair to give the office staff two weeks' vacation, then it was eoually fair to give it to the men outside. (Applause). All loans should be scheduled, so that if money is raised they should know where it is going to be spent. He urged the electors to use the.r votes in the best interests of the town, and denied the allegation that ho was out to have the town clerk dismissed. What lie bad urged was the apointment of a practical professional man as engineer, an'l held that the town rlerk's office was the proper place for the town clerk. The manager of the gasworks should also bare control of his own department.

Other Matters. The speaker said lie bad taken exceiition to the exchange of the golf links only in the interests of the reserves of the district, whieh should be retained. He considered that the present by-law re tax drivers' charge of Is to the racecourse was irksome and unfair to the drivers. In conclusion, he said if elected he would do bis best in the interests of the district and of the electors. (Applause). A number of questions wer P answered by the candidate. A hearty vote of thanks to Air Laffertv for his able address was carried by acclamation, and a similar compliment was paid to the chairman.