THE MAYORALTY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 155, 26 March 1919, Page 8

THE MAYORALTY

HR. W. H." P. BARBER MAKES A STATEMENT SAYS MR.LUKE GAVE HIM. A PROMISE "Regarding tho sub-leader published in Tfib Dominion yesterday morning on the Mayoralty and danger as to the number of candidates offering themselves for the offico of Mayor of the city," said Mr. W. 11. P. Barber to a Dominion reporter yesterday, "I desire to submit reasons which I consider justify my action in going to the poll, and propose to do so. I was first elected to the council in 1891 when, under the ward system, I was returned to represent Te Aro, and, with the exception of the time I occupied a seat in Parliament, I l.ave been a member ever since. I have acted on almost every committee, and at the present timo am chairman of tho Street Lighting, Bylaws, and Fire Brigade Committee. I am thoroughlv .conversant with the details of the council's many activities, and have on several occasions acted as Mayor. I can say that I have not forced myself into this contest, but am standing at the almost unanimous wish of my fellowcouncillors. After they had held two meetings and given very full consideration to the matter the choico fell upon me. and t'ho opinion of those who have had the task of carrying on the affairs of the city for the past two years should, I think, carry somo weight with the electors. I cannot conceive that Mr. Luke will be a candidate after his repeated statements to the contrary. It was my desire to retire from the council two years ago, but I was urged by the present Mayor and many others to remain in the council another leiin with tho view of contesting tho Mayoralty at this juncture, in which endeavour Mr. Luke promised- me his assistance.

"With Tegard to your paper's remarks about vote-splitting. I think I have every right tn contest tho Mayoralty on my past services, and if, in Jho interests of the community as a whole, it is desirable for one candidate to stand down J cannot see why that candidate should be myself. I am determined to go to the poll, whatever happens. As to my services to the city in other directions I have been a member of the College Governors for a number of years, and have taken a prominent nart in tho industrial and commercial life <if the city. For thirty years I have been a member of the board of directors of the Wellington Woollen Company, and succeeded the late Hon. C. J. Johnston as chairman ten years ago, and still hold the position. I have also been connected with the directorate of .the Wellington Opera Housf Company for 31 years, 28 years of which T have acted as chairman. I have also Tieon chairman of directors of the Wellineto'i Denosit and Building Association ever since its inc-ontion thirteen: years ago. I think T curt claim to nave been a successful business man, and with mv exneripppi to Vlp mo quite able to ndmin ister the affairs of the r.ity >n a manner satisfactory to the electors."

MR. LURE TO BE PETITIONED The name of Mr. John Hutcheson is connected with a. petition that is now in circulation asking Mr. J. P. Luke to dgain offer himself a* a candidate for the Mayoralty of Wellington. The fact has caused quite a little : fli.lteHn- municipal circles, as many ha.d taken it for granted that Mr. Luke was rot. going to stand, though he has mado no pronouncement as to His intentions, and has declined to commit himself on the main point.

In view of. Mr. Barber's fixed determination to stand, and the promised nomination of Messrs. T. S. Weston (Greater Wellington Electors' Association) and J. Reid (Labour), and the possibility that Mr. Luke may,>after all, be a-late' starter, the Mayoral election promises to be tlie liveliest contest held for years. .