THE CITY ELECTION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1099, 11 April 1911, Page 6

THE CITY ELECTION.

WELLINGTON CITIZENS' LEAGUE,

CANDIDATES CHOSEN

The first general mooting of the recentlyformed "Wellington Citizens' League was held in tho Chamber of Commerce last evening, Mr. 11. C. Tew.-ley presiding, Between oG and 40 persons were present.

In his. opening remarks, the chairman stated that the league; lui 1 been '.oniicit lor th.o purpose oi securing the election 01 representatives on the City Council and narbour Hoard, who luut no axe to grind, and were capable of pushing things ionniril. At the present time tliey were to some extent pitted against labour, and, in connection with this, it was his opinion that no single section of the community should monopolise the municipal positions. Men were wanted as candicUues, who had sympathy, not along with capital or with labour, but With every section of the community. If the league could get men of that description to come forward the city would benefit. If, however, at the forthcoming elections, Labour did predominate, then, in his opinion, the ciiy interests would sutler. Ho did not wish to say that the present Labour ticket would eltect this, but thpy might. Labour was ruled by a caucus. There were men in their ranks who were as good as one could wish, but they were all under the Trades and Labour Council. The main object of the league was to lind men who had proved themselves successful in their own businesses, and who wero capable of looking after the interests of tho city as a. whole. Mr. Tewsley went en to say that ho was of the opinion that, should tho Labour party get into power, an increase in the expenditure of the city and Harbour lioard- wotild follow, and then up would go the rates and taxes. This was what the Citizens' League should endeavour to prevent. During the last two years tho City of Wellington had had a very hard experience, and it was time that tho rate ot' living came down. Tito prices now ruling made Wellington the most difficult place in which to mako a livelihood, nnd laud valuations, among other things, must come down. Ho ventured to say that it was 33 l-3rd. per cent, more expensive to live here than in any other place in New Zealand. For every pound spent there should bo an equivalent return shown, and it was the duty of tho league to get men on tho City Couucil and the Harbour Board who would see that this was done.

The league, thou went into committee, and on resuming it was announced tho following candidates would receive tho league's support at tho forthcoming elections For the City Council. Messrs. 1?. A. Atkinson, W. If. P. Barber. F. Cohen, .T. 13. I'itzuerald, 1!. Fletcher, (I. Frost, G. RhirtclilTc, John Smith, V. J. Thompson, J. Trevor, W. H. Bennett, J. Godber, A. I.cigh Hunt. S. .T. Moran. and 11. Trice. Tho first ten at present occupy feats on tho City Council. For the Harbour Board. Messrs. U. Fletcher. W. Hildreth, .T. E. Fitzgerald, and J. Trevor. The first two at present hold seats on tho Harbour Board. MR. W. S. BEDFORD AT NEWTOWN. Mr. W. Scott Bedford addressed a couple of dozen electors at the Newtown Library last night. He made a point of advocating town-planning. It was, he said, the duty of' every elector to vote in favour of such a measure that would make it impossible by way of land tax for anyone to mo-nopolise a single block of land, for land monopoly was a fearful block to town-planning. Regarding liien' of money who "monopolised towns." it was said of them if they endowed that town with many improvements they had done well for the people, and snent their money to good purpose. But, he asked, what did that lead to? It all led to an increase in rents, and the millionaire's gold was spent to increase the value of private property. He complained of the poor connection with Jliraraar—sixpence by tram from the l'ost Office to Miramar, and an eighty-minutes' service. But if Miramar was taken in by tho council, tho rents would go up. "The moment you improve your city rents will go up; you are simply improving the property of tho property-owner."

111'. Bedford lvas speaking in favour of municipal enterprise as against private enterprise when ho was interrupted by someone who apparently favoured private enterprise. To urge his news in reply Mr. Bedford said that in 1903 the rates were 3.8 pence, and now they were 2 pence. "What's the diiferenco in the basis of valuation?" persisted the interrupter. Mr. Bedford admitted that there was a great difference, but the rate would have increased oven had there not been municipal enterprise. Ho pointed to the profits of the-electric light business, which was a municipal enterprise. Jloro enterprises of the kind were needed. Hot sea baths and fish markets wero wanted. Ho referred to the transactions of the City Council regarding the contract for advertising on trams, ami held that it was the duty of the council to call for fresh tenders when the contract which had been let was thrown over.

.Several Labour candidates were to have conducted an open-air meeting at Berhampore, but only one candidate and a few electors gathered at the corner. Therefore, no addresses were given.

Mr. Edwin Gallichan notifies electors in this issuo of his candidature for a seat in the City Council. Sir. Gallichan deals with municipal markets, milk supply, street cleaning, rates, tramways, electric lighting and heating, and townplanning. A summary of the alwve will be found in onr advertising columns. Mr. James Ciodbcr invites electors to meet him at Godber's Hall, Cuba Street, to-morrow when ho will explain his views on municipal matters generally. Mr. W. S. Bedford will address electors at the new Church Ilall, Maranui, tonight. Tho citizens' (Labour) ticket for tho Wellington City Council elections will be found in another column ■of this issue. The names on the ticket are:—Messrs. D. M'Laren, J. Eeanlon, J. Jordan, Smith, A. 11. Himlmarsh, i\ Keyling, E. J.-- Carey, and J. ; Hazel. Tho returning officer for the Petono Borough Council inserts advertisemonts in this issuo referring to tho annual election of Mayor and Councillors, to be held on Wednesday, .April 2G. Mr. H. \V. Shortt notifies the burgesses of Eastbourne in this issuo that he is again submitting himself as a candidate for the office of Mayor of Eastbourne. Tho returning officer of the Karori Borough Council notifies, in this issue, •of tho annual election of Mayor and councillors, to bo held on April 2G. Mr. Leigh Hunt notifies electors in this issue that he is standing as a. candidate at the coming City Council elections. Mr. John Brodie inserts an advertisement in this issue notifying the electors nf Miramar of his candidature for tho Mayoralty. Tho Miramar Borough Council insert an advertisement in this issuo referring to tho election of Mayor and councillors for tho Minimal Borough. Tho Onslow Borough Council insert advertisements in this issue referring to the annual election of Mayor and Councillors. Two advertisements referring to the election of Mayor and councillors are inserted in this issuo by tho Wellington City Council. An advertisement appears in this issue referring to tho Wellington Harbour Board election.