MAYORAL CONTEST.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2004, 11 March 1914, Page 8

MAYORAL CONTEST.

THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS,

FIRE THE OPENING SHOT.

Mr. H. Holland, the Social Democratic candidate for the Mayoralty, addressed tho electors at Brooklyn last night. Mr. F. JDawson presiaed, and t'Jiero was an attenaanco or about 201) in Fullford's Hall.

in opening his address, Mr. Holland said flic Social .Democratic party-was a new party in municipal politics. The party .stood for t-Ue solo political expression of organised labour in New Zealand. Mo went on to refer to the facts leading up to the July Congress. Tiio recent strike, ho declared, Had been precipitated, and the employers set out to break the United. Federation of Labour, the twin brother of tho Social Democratic party. The Federation (luring that period won two political actions, and yet tho employers ''shrieked" that the party did not stand for political action. "Now," declared Mr. Holland, "we are out to meet them again on the political platform, and wo can beat them if there are no traitors in onr ranks." The Social Democratic party held that the workers, rfo per cent, of the population, should control tho affairs of tho community. The Social Democratic party's presence in tho Mayoral contest was tho answer to the charge that they were out against political action. ]t was charged against them that they wero "destructionists." They wore to a certain extent, for nothing could bo built up without destruction. They wero out to destroy all bad government and control. Their platform had been described as visionary by the M'Laren party (tho United labour party), but no declared they would trust tho people, and tako their views on every question. Their party stood for unification of all govern-: ing bodies, trusts, and boards within tho municipality into a single governing body. . v In a preliminary statement the platform of the Social Democratic Party set out that tho party held that "barbarous gowns and idlo ceremonies should bo abolished," needless neglect and delay in the City's affairs should bo avoided, and tho business of the City made the first claim on the time and strength of its responsible servants." Property considerations Attached. Mr. Holland took exception to the present method of electing representatives to the Wellington Harbour Board, and quoted figures in support of his contention that property considerations, and not humanitarian, hold in that election. Further ho said tho party proposed that on .1 petition signed by :i number of voters equal to 10 per cent, of the votes polled in the preceding election, a vote should bo demanded , on any municipal proposition or action of tho City Council. Municipalised markets for all household supplies and ordinary services, including-milk, bread, fish, meat, fuel, medicines, medical aid, legal advice and defence, etc., were proposed, and, to supply these markets and to maintain a standard of rational conditions of employment, municipal fayns, orchards, fishing equipments, abattoirs, coal mines, bakeries, laundries, etc.- An unadulterated supply of food would bo maintained by this means, said the speaker. Tho condemning and taking-over of all overbuilt and unsanitary areas was another of his party's, proposals, said Mr. Holland. There were many places that could be condemned in Tarnriaki Street. Haining Street, and other-places in Wellington, and they advocated the rebuilding thereon of modern sanitary dwellings, -or other buildings, to be municipally owned and rented at a rate only sufficient to pay interest on tho cost of construction and 5. per cent, on tho unimproved land values. Open spaces for the poor classes as well as the rich was another of their planks, said Mr. Holland, who protested against a charge of admission being made at Newtown Park and the Zoo. Ho further held that to closo tho park at 5 o'clock shut the,working people out at tho only time they were.ablo to get a breath of fresh air.

Tho Mayor Challenged.

Referring to tho coming election Mr. Holland said his party was not going to allow personalities to enter into tho tight. He challenged Mr. Luko to expiain his position with regard to tho Arbitration Waterside Workers'.Union. This, ho declared, was a bogus union, and neither Mr. Luke nor Mr. Massoy would allow an investigation of that union. Mr. Luko had accepted the position, of trusteo of that union, and thereforo ho must bo in favour of it. If ho was lie was not, Mr. Holland urged, man who should hold a responsible position in tho city. Proceeding Mr. Holland said that Mr. Luko and his party were quite concerned about tho welfare of tho Arbitrationists. While tb_cy wero breaking down tho forces of.organised Labour. They took thorn cigarettes and tobacco, and even supplied .them with a nervo tonic. As soon as the dirty work was done, however, tho capitalists did not even worry about tho arbitrationists. Reference was nest made to Mr. M'Laren, who was Labour Mayor of Wellington at one time. Mr. Holland challenged him on his work for tho city, and especially with regard to tramway matters. W-itlj. regard to tho statement that the Social-Democratio' Party only put out a candidate to split tbo Labour vote, Mr. Holland said that 1800 people put their signatures to a requisition asking "the Social-Democra-tic Party to take the present action. Mr. M'Laren was representing seventeen men.

Mr. -Holland challenged Mr. M'Laren's statement that he (Mr. Holland) was an anti-Labourite. Ho would put his career, year by year, against that of Mr. M'Larcn. Mr. Holland referred at length his action in various strikes in Australia, and said that ho would do and say the same- things if ever the occasion occurred.

At tho conclusion of liis address a veto of confidenco was passed to Mr. Holland's candidature.