THE CITY ELECTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1097, 8 April 1911, Page 7

THE CITY ELECTIONS.

*r. LIVENING UP. CITIZENS' LEAGUE MAKES 'A ' MOTE. '

Thus fur, tlicro .lias been an element of droop in such preparations as have been mado for the city electoral contest that will take place oil April 26, but presently, if at all, matters should liven up. On Monday evening tho Citissons' League will emerge irom the obscurity in which it has thus far been :oyly hidden, ami. hold'a public meeting. A general invitation is extended to = members aiid intending members. The. executive of tho League, as at present constituted, has been engaged in formulating proposals in relation to tho selection of candidates, and these proposals will bo. submitted to the public mooting. ' To an extent, this "Citizens' League" is an enigma. That it'stands in direct opposition to tho Labour party is known, also' that it stands in » general way for moderation in matters municipal. The rest is speculation, but it has been stated on goqd authority,,and not'officially contradicted, ,that tho Leuguo is in close touch with a number of gentlemen who now occupy seats on the City Council. Whether a platform will be submitted, or formulated, at tho meeting on Monday evening does not appear to have been definitely settled. One member of the League, questioned last evening, declared himself uncertain on the point. At all events, from Monday evening the League, .will appear as a militant factor in the electoral campaign. A. lately-announced candidate, Mr. W. S. Bedford, intends to address meetings upon every day and evening next week! Mr. Bedford has had an extended municipal experience in other centres, and. pfayed a prominent part in promoting the union of Greater Dunedin. Mr. -E. Gallichan (general secretary of tho Liberal aud Labour Federation of New Zealand) has definitely dccided to come out as a candidate. Ho will take an early opportunity of laying his views -before tho electors, but has not yet decided whether lie will conduct a platform campaign. . Councillor Gl. Shirtcliffe has definitely decided to seek.re-election. Mr. H. Price will probably bo a candidate. " Dr. -Cameron (Independent candidate) intends to address the electors' this, evening in tho Sydney- Street Schoolroom. -. A detailed statement of tho views shampioned ■by Mr. John Fuller (one of the independent'candidates) 'will bo found in another column. In inviting support, Mr. Fuller states that lie has no axe to grind, and that, should necessity arise, he . will hit "straight from the shoulder." He claims that ho is thoroughly qualified by his business experience and tho attention ho has given to municipal concerns to take part in the management, of tho city's affairs. 'A reduction of rates, if possible, an improved tramway service, resistance to the unduly restrictivo by-laws, and tho institution of municipal markets aro among the moro important policy planks that , find a placo in his platCorn..