THE MAYORALTY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 139, 7 March 1919, Page 6

THE MAYORALTY

MR. C. B. NORWOOD APPROACHED

AN ANS.WER NEXT MONDAY

A group "of eight'-oitiaens waited on Councillor C B'. 'Norwood yesterday afternoon to ask him to allow himself to be nominated for tho position of Mayor at the coining elections. Mr. James M'lntosh said thai they were just a body of cHizenr, who wished to nominate him (Councillor Norwood) for the Mayoral chair this year, and to assure him that if he consented he would have an organisation behind him which would work enthusiastically ,for his return. They were f-atisfied that he_ was the man they, required. His municipal life had not been a- lengthy one, but' Councillor Norwood had already shown qualities they admired. One instance -had been the manner in which he had handled the milk question. The office of 'Mayor would be one :.f the most important and responsible positions duris,? the next two years. There were large sums of money to be spent on big utilities, nnd they wanted a business man to guido the council. There would nlso be many important problems to bo handled. One ■was the housing problem. Councillor Nor : wood might have T.oticed that in Auckland the inaHer of the twopenny universal fare on the tramways had been brought forward, again, and the sneaker believed that its I'doptioh in Wellington jvould go far towards solving the problem. A man could not go away out into the suburbs on account of the burdensome cost of tram fares, and if the. universal fare were established that objection would be removed. If Councillor Norwood would consent to bo nominated for the Mayoral cTiair. they wculd pledge themeelves to band together to help put him there* Afr. F. lewis said that what they all ■ wished to sea was the adoption of a /more vigorous policy by the City Council, q.rii to do- that they must have new blood in ■ order to do Mmething worth while for tie city. If Councillor Norwood acceded to the request, they would work as hard as possible for his return. Mr. M'lntosh, by way of supplement, said that during the past two or three weeks they had ■ been sounding public opinion, and from every class they had been assured of active support of Councillor ■ Norwood's f-.andidature. Councillor Norwood, in reply, said that he regarded the proposal as one of forreaShing importance; indeed, one that wonld have to be considered very carefully. Wellington had for the past five years been almost at a standstill munioipaUy, a state of things probably produced as the result of the war. During the war publio opinion had changed, and swerved to an enormous extent, and the new problems presented were different from anything that had gono before. At no previous time bad such, great responsibilities been placed upon the occupant of the mayoral office as would be the case during the next term. In other, words, during the coining term the polioy to be initiated and instituted would form - the basis of progress for tho next twenty years' growth of the city, and before ono could say he would take up the position he would have to decide whether he had the ability to carry-"it out, if elected, and also if his business arrangements were likely io interfere with tho proper moulding and working out of that policy. "lam not a, rich man," said Councillor Norwood, "I class myself as a successful business man. One thing suggests itself to me, and lhati s. that this is the greatest compliment you do nie, and I thank you. Men who think will ngree with me that ■tin man to undertake the big work of the immediate future must bo capable. It is a bouquet I do not throw at myself. However, one thing is sure.- The Mayor alone can do little. He can give a lead, and must be constructive in idea -am thought. There are many men with i ideas rood for pulling things, to piecesthere are not so many with a constructive policy. It is not sufficient to believe in what is right, without 'the ability to get right to It—and do it! My business is ■ a, young business, and I know, you will hot force me to an immediate decision, but just es sincerely as your promise to bring abpiit my return if I stand, I, on my part, will dp my utmost not to ne- ' gleet to produce the result you are look- ; in,; for. During my torms as a council- : lor. I, hayo made friends with members of .'' the council, and I feel that I could not ';' consent; to the' proposal without talking it over with them. I belieyo that a good, section of the council will be again 1 returned., and .if I happen to. be , entrusted with the high honour, I should like to have the confidence of the coun- •-' oil,''' F -There are two'sides. to the distinc■':tioh—the social side , and the business side. I know which are the more important •' duties of the. Mayor. , I will seo to both. lam not enthusiastic;on tho social side. At the same-time, with the aid of my

•colleagues, that'would'be looked to. The business .eido worries me most. However, 'I will;'consult' 'my good wife, and those connected , with me in my business, and will give the proposal my most earnest'consideration, and mil let you know mt answer on Monday morning. If I 'accept you will be assured that I have "seriously considered three things, viz.:

iIV Havb I the ability? (2) Am I a strong 'enough personality in the centre of Weliffigtoii' to ensure a reasonable prospect ~6i beinf? returned? and (8). Can I afford Iff' (Applause.) ' '