MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15873, 12 April 1917, Page 8

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.

THE MAYORALTY. 3fR J. McCOMBS'S CANDIDATURE." Mr J. McCombs, M.P., a candidate for tho Mayoralty at the municipal elections, opened his campaign in 'the Alexandra Hall last night. There was a large attendance, and tho chair was taken by Mr F. Burgovne.. Mr McCombs, who was received with applause, said that in his dual capacity as M.P. and member of the Christchurch City Council he had often been able to serve the interests, both of his municipal and his. Parliamentary constituents, and he firmly believed that such a dual capacity was not detrimental to his constituents, but rarther the reverse. In tho. Labour Partv's platform in 1914 ho noticed that proportional representation had been a plank, but it had not been able to get it put into force until the present municipal election. Now labour would have what ic never had before—an effective vote. The Labour Representation Committee, said the speaker, had decided to follow the unusual but thoroughly democratic course of inviting the municipal electors to indicate by a vote their opinions on three vital national issues, namely: (1) Conscription, (2) adequate payments, pensions and allowances for the soldiers and their dependants, and. (3) the cost of living. He contended that the Labour Party was thoroughly justified in bringing "these questions into municipal politics, for they were of vital interest to tbe constituents of local bodies for the following reasons: Most of the local bodies passed resolutions in favour of conscription at tho invitation of the Government; tho Government in a special Empowering Act authorised local bodies to make up the military pay of those of their employees who enlisted up to the amount they Were receiving in 'their civil employment, and, lastly, the National Government in its Cost of Living Act. conferred entirely inadequate powers on the municipalities to deal with the cost of living problem. It was idle, under these circumstances, for any would-be councillor to" contend that the electors should have no voice on matters so rearly affecting their welfare. After enlarging on these three national questions, Mr McCombs dealt with municipal matters pure ana simple. Referring to the work done by tbe previous councils, he said that thfe unprecedented increase in the rates during the past five years called for the serious attention of the ratepayers. The general rate during 1909-10-11 was practically stationary, but in 1912 there was a jump of over £4000, and since then there hail been a steady increase. if returned as Mayor lie would promise that his influence would be for no further increase in the general rates, ana tho Labour candidates took up a similar attitude. The next important question was tho Electricity Department and this department showed clearly the conflict in ideas between the Labour Party, which stood for the consumers' interests in public enterprises, and the councillors of the old school who could not get the profitmongering idea out of their heads. He granted that the electricity department showed a good profit, but a municipal enterprise which showed a profit might bo performing a very poor service to the oommunity. He contended that the cost to tho consumer of household electricity copld bo very materially reduced ; certainly by 33 per cent., and possibly by 50 per cent. It must bo borne in mind that if the price of electricity was reduced to a minimum it would benefit tho consumer of gas. The gas monopoly in the city would certainly have raised its prices but for the-competition of municipal electricity. The question of a municipal market would not be adequately dealt with until tho people clected a Labour majority to the Council. After referring briefly to the insufficient powers given to the City Council to enable it to deal with the milk supply, tho speaker dealt with the question of better pay for the soldiers and more adequate pension allowances for the soldier and his dependants. Ho could claim that he had used his position in Parliament and on the Council to secure a fair deal for tho soldier and his dependants. The speaker concluded by explaining the method of election by proportional j-cpresentation, and urged the rato- . payers to vote the Labour ticket in to to. (Applause.) Mr C. W. "Webber read a circular which ho said had been issued by the Christchurch Citizens' Association, and signed by Mr J. A. Flesher, asking the owners of automobiles to do all in their power to assist in taking voters to the poll on tho 25th. Mr Webber said the Labour Party could not afford to get many cars, and he hoped that there would be a liberal response to tho collection, as the party's expenses were heavy. 4 In answer to questions. Mr McCombs said he believed the Citizens' Association was composed of the candidates and a few self-appointed gentlemen. The Association had the audacity to say that it was representative of the citizens, which he denied. He contended that the passing of conscription by the National Government was not parallel to its enactment by the British Government. The British Government .had been elected before the war, tho National Government in the midst of war, when the question of defence should have fairly been referred to tho people. Tho meeting concluded with three cheers for the candidate. , SOLDIERS' TOTES, Mr H. R. Smith, the returning officer foi; the Christchurch City Council elections, was asked by a representative of "Tho Press" yesterday if any arrangements aro being made for soldiers in camp, whose names are on the roll, being given an opportunity to record their votes. Mr Smith stated that thero is no provision in the Act for voting by prosy, and the only way that soldiers in camp can vote is by themselves jat a pollingbooth. The difficulty could be overcome, possibly, only by a war regulation. It was questionable whether polling-booths could be legally established outside tho boundaries of the city. Some years ago at a local body's election, a booth was established at a Territorial camp held r.t- Yaldhurst. Legal advice taken at the time was to tho effect thaj, such a procedure was not in conformity with the law. On that occasion no action was taken to upset the election. On the present occasion, unless provision were made bv War Regulation for legalising pollingtooths outside the city boundaries, there would be a risk of the election being invalidated. The contemplation o e another ciection with its accompanying expenditure, was not a pleasing one, and though all desired to assist the soldiers, he (Mr Smith) did not think ir would be advisable to run the risk.

The supplementary roll of the Borough of Riccarton -will close on Saturday at 1 p.m. A meeting of those interested in the return of the Citizens' Association candidates trill be held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Dickens street, Addington, tomorrow at 8 p.m.