MAYORAL ELECTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 180, 25 April 1919, Page 6

MAYORAL ELECTION

MR. LUKE'S CAMPAIGN

CONTEST FOR THE COUNCIL

Although the weather of last evening was rather inclement there was, nevertlieless, a larjje attendance, of friends and to further the Candida, ture of Mr. J.'-P. Luke for rhe Mayoralty, at a meeting held in the Masonic Hall. Boulcott. Street. Mr. J. Hutclieson was in the chair, ami -Mr. Luke was also present, and gave a brief addres.i. Voluntary offers of assistance in polling dav were received in good numbers, and detailed arrangements were made. Short speeches were made by Mr. John lluteheson and Mr. Lisle, the latter reporting v/liat had been and what is being done in regard to pollii g day. ' The proceedings, which were of an enthusiastic nature. closed with cheers for the candidate. called for by tile chairman. MR. BARBER AT NEWTOAVN. Mr. W. 11. P. Barter addressed a meeting at St. Thomas's Hall, Newtown, last evening, the chair being occupied by Councillor Goclber, who, in introducing the candidate, stated that he had been chosen by the present council lo contest the Mayoralty. This alone, lie said, would indicate- to the. meeting the esteem 'in which Mr. Earlier was held by his colleagues. j ■ Mr. Barber spoke oil similar lines to his previous addresses. Dealing with the milk supply he suggested as a means of remedying the shortage, a deviation of' the Wairarapa railway lino to bring into use large areas of suitable dairying land in the vicinity of the city, which" areas would largely supplement our supplies. Mr.' Barber also dealt with the bousing question, street_ widening problems, and the need for improved transit to the outlying portions of the city. Mr. B. Dawson, in moving a vote of thanks to thu candidate, referral to Mr. Barber's past career in both civic and business affairs. Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald said Mr. Barber had proved himself a most alert and active member of the council, and he hoped that citizens would recognise his great ability. The motion was carried by acclamation.

THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT ISLAND BAT. Mr. R. A. Wright, who is a candidate for the council and Harbour Board, addressed a meeting at St. Hilda's Schoolroom, Island Bay. last "ig]ii\ Mr. Dnv occupied the chair. Mr.. Wright dealt with the labour problem at ihe waterside. and strong]v urged the abolition of all casual employment. It would be infinitely better to place the men on the permanent staff with ihe • privileges which permanency secured. Dealing with council matters, Mr. AVright supported a progressive policy for urgent works _thronorhout the city. This would necessitate the floating of a loan as soon as practicable. Island Bay had been promised a double line of tramway, and l>t' promise must be redeemed.' Improvements at the seafront were also neccsary. ' Other portions of the city needed attention, and a loan for new works was the only alternative. Mr. H. D. THm°tt.. n. candidate for the council, said that although lie was R new man to many present, vol he had had considerable experience in municipal matters elsewhere. He thought young men should he encouraged lo aspire to municinal life. The epidemic disclosed the slum areas in different narts of New Zealand. It also, disclosed the fact that houses were almost unobtainable. The council must pursue a vis-orous poiicv of house 'buildimr, even if it mennt a huge outlay. The .best asset Wellington possessed was Island Bay ».r.d Mirnmar where there was room fov large populations. aX Gaudin, a new candidate for municipal honours, suoke oil the council's milk scheme and the housing problem. He referred to the fact that he was a native of Wellington, who was anxious to assist in the .government of the citj.

A ItATAITAI MEETING. Several councillors addressed a. meeting of residents at the Hataitai Bowling Club last evening. Councillor M'Kenzic outlined the work cione by the Outlying Districts Committee, and mado a particular point of the committee's, policy in making good arterial roads into ali the outlying parte of tlio town. Already they had started making a very fine load to connect Vogeltown and Marnington. Mr. M'Kenzie stated that tho council intended to continue the Oriental wall and gradually preserve the whole foreshore for future use, enlarge Ivilbirme Park, form playgrounds for children wherever possible, whilst they were not, forgetting to make ample provision for tennis and croquet grounds for the ladies. Ho explained that this committee was instrumental in getting the power of 'supervision over future property, subdivision, and contended it was the first real step towards town-planning. Another important matter touched upon aa the enlarging of the freight service and the establishment of a city receiving station for goods and depots in the surrounding districts. This would soon become a live commercial branch of tho tramway department, and thus encourago the people to live outside the city. Mr. M'Kenzie also dealt with the housing, problem, and covered the council's work over the business undertakings, and explained the difficulties which they faced through war conditions. Councillor Hildreth" followed, arid stated that two years ago they tried to provide homes for the tramway employees at Lyall Bay on land which the council acquired for tramway purposes, hut after preparing all the details they found themselves hampered by legal difficulties which were now pot over by introducing a Bill which was passed last session. He contended these would again come up shortly. He gave,a complete record_ot his work during the Inst two years, which was heartily approved. The councillors' were accorded a vote of thanks, on tho motion of Mr. J. P. Shand, who hopei} they would be returned to carry out their good work'. This was seconded by Mr. Feilding and carried by acclamation.

Councillor Luclcie referred to the milk question, and said that four years ago lie had supported on numerous occasions the proposal to erect a milk clearing station, solely ■ because he considered it the thin edge which would inevitably lead to the municipalisation of the milk supply of the city, which he had always favoured. Had the council not taken over the distribution the city would have been absolutely without milk for tho coming winter, as it would be impossible for the vendors to secure supplies, owing to tho fact that the farmers vosld cease winter milking. Councillor Luokie defended the administration of the council during the last' four years, and pointed out that, though it had had to pay largely increased wages, higher prices'for all purchases made, in addition to paying .£20,000 to Anploy-ees at the front, it had been enabled _by dint of careful management to avoid a deficit, had not increased the cost to consumers of any of its city services, and had not increased tho rates, besides which it had, during that period, been enabled to do certain necessary city improvements out of revenue, and that therefore those responsible for showing this satisfactory result- were, he ilrged, entitled to 'a continuance of t!he ratepayers' confidence. With reference to the housing question, he stated that owing to tho enormously increased cost of material and labour during tho war period the building had not been ablo to keep pace with the increased population. He advocated that the council should at the earliest opportunity provido accommodation for its own employees, and referred to areas at Lyall Bay and in Adelaide Road which eonld be'used for the purpose. Certain proposals were under consideration" by the council, and ho urged that they should receive llio immediate attention of the new council.

LABOUR'S CAMPAIGN.' A fair audience gathered to hear several of the Labour candidates in the Methodist Schoolroom, Molcsworth Strct, last night. Mr. T. Brindlc occupied the chair'. .Mr. J. Glover said the City Council had Riven throughout many years a splendid exhibition of masterly inactivity. Instead of encouraging municipal enterprise, the members uf tho previous councils had discouraged it in every way. The Labour Tarty stood for tlio imblic ownership of all publio utilitiea.'and their administration in tho interests of all the people.

Mrs.- Snow said that some people were asking why there were three women on the Labour Party's ticket. The Labour Party realised that there were questions whicli could be more efficiently deult I.lth by Labour women than even by Labour men. She advocated women's rest rooms, which were greatly needed, also better housing, an improved milk supply, and better tram facilities, more open spaces, baths, and recreation grounds. She considered that closer understanding and co-operation between tho City Council and tho Hospital Board in connection with the important question of public 'health was imperative. She favoured the appointment of women sanitary inspectors.

Mr. I{. M'Keen spoke in favour of municipal markets. By the control of markets tho people were protected from diseased food, and were assurt'4 of cheaper articles. He also emphasised the necessity of mora recreation and playgrounds, wading Mols, and swings iK-ing established i.u tfi city aud on the benches.

Mr. J. Read, the Labour candidate for the Mayoralty, said that only a t'ew months ago llr. Luke had referred to the tramway men, to whom the C'il.y Council had denied a living wage, as "industrial rebels." That fact, coupled with the fact that Mr. Sliuiler Weston, president of the Employers' Federation, had. retired in, Mr. Luke's favour, was sufficient to show where Mr. Luke stood as far a3 the workers were concerned. Mr. Barber put forward as one of his qualifications that he was a director of the Wellington Woollen Mills Company, a company which was certainly not distinguished by any particular affection for the workers. Jfy. Brindle said that it behoved the citizens of Wellington to realise the danger of allowing the children of crowded parts of the city making their playgrounds in and about the festering dens that masquerade as homes. Not only was the death-rate amongst children in such an environment much higher than those born with better house and air space, but, unfortunately, their mental anil moral outlook reflected- the dingy and demoralising conditions they were' compelled' to live in." Tho present City Council, he said, had shown a gross lack of public-spiritedness. and an utter inability to understand the requirements that the evolution of modern society demanded.

EASTBOURNIS BOROUGH ADDKESS BY THE MAYOR. The Mayor of Eastbourne (Mr. I'. Levi) and 'Councillors AV. Bennett, H. Mayer, C, A. Marquis, W. M'Pherson, and I'. who are seeking re-election, addressed a meeting of ratepayers and residents last eveniig in tlie Eastbourne Hall. 'i'lie Mayor, who opened the proceedings, reviewed the work of the council during the past two years, inferring to the ferry service owned by the borough, Mr. Levi said that the running of this service was the most important'function of the council, and he detailed improvements that had been made to the steamers and the service. The couucil now had under consideration the delivery of goods throughout Eastbourne, and the better lighting of Bona Bay wharf. The income from the ferry service was about .£15,000.' a year 1 , and the results during the financial year had been satisfactory, notwithstanding the serious setbacks caused by the epidemic. With respect to tlio future, he was in favour of procuring an up-to-date boat, subject to expert, advice being obtained with respect to the type of boat. The district fund, Mr. LeVi said, was in a healthy state, and the rates had come in woII. An important venture of tlio council was tlio institution of a municipal coal depot, which had proved an unqualified success. The obtaining of coal in these days of coal shortage had Ijoen made possible by the existence of the cargo steamer Aorere. Sinco August last the council had received 2fit tons. The council had purchased a piece of land adjoining its property for a Town Ilall. It was obtained at a satisfactory price'. The purchase was considered necessary for future requirement's, especially in connection with the ferry service. A Council Chamber ' had been erected which had met the urgent demand for' a meeting place -for the council, and had also been found exceedingly useful for many purposes, amongst others for the accommodation of a kindergarten. Recently as the result •of representations made to the Lands Department, two large sections (221 acres) of education reserves had been added lo the Domain.' Access to these sections from a front near the' wharf was available.

Tho council had organised a volunteer fire"brigade, and a chemical fire engine had been secured. The roads, notwithstanding difficulties, lind been putincood order. A pound was to bs established, and all arrangements had already been made. A complete sanitary insjiection of the borough had been made, and a complete record obtajned. As to the future. Mr. Levi said that he was strongly in _ favour of _ the ferry funds being kept intact in' view of' future requirements, and in no event, should any portion bo diverted in aid of rates. 'With Tespect to the water scheme, a poll for the necessary loan having been carried four years ago, ho thought it would bo possible to proceed with the work, but the City Council's scheme outlined in Mr. Morton's recently-published report, must be watched. Ho was in favour of friendly co-operation with the City Council in this and any other direction. He was -strongly in favour of a town-planning scheme for the borough, and bo also favoured the permanent construction of the main road, but for this work a loan would bo required, As to amalgamation with the city, that probably was the ultimate destiny of the borough, but for some years to come the borough must work out its own salvation. i The councillors seeking re-election also briefly addressed the meeting, and several questions were answered by the Mayor. NOMINATIONS ELSEWHERE.' By Telegraph Prw< Association. Christchurch, April 2i. The following have been nominated for the Mayoralty-Messrs. J. J". Dougall, J. M'Combs, M.P., and Dr. Tlmcker, M.P. There are 20 candidates for 13 seats on the Oity Council. Levin, April 24. The senior councillor, Mr. D. YV T . Matheson, has been c-lected Mayor unopposed. There are thirteen nominations for the council. A well attended. meeting of the theatrical workers and picture industry employees was held at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. Messrs. Bert Boyle and E. J. Eighton addressed the meeting and nlaced before it a comprehensive platform of municipal reform.- Mr. Pickford, general manager of the Paramount Picture Theatres, presided. On the mo< tion of Councillor M'Kenzie n unanimous vote of confidence was passed in Messrs. Boyle and Eighton. Candidates representing the Greater Wellington Association 'will speak this evening at Kclburn TCiosk, Sydney Street Schoolroom, and Northland Methodist School.

On Monday afternoon at the King'!! 'LVatre Mr.?. J. I?. Gibbons and Messrs. 15. ,T. ltighton and flert Eoyle propose to place their views before the municipal electors of Wellington. 'J ho afternoon will be enlivened by a musical programme. Sigiior Cesaroni will render items, and Mr. L. D. Austin will act as ninni"^ • Mr. W. H. P. iiarber will speak at the, clubroom, T'itt Street, Wadestown, to-night, and at Kliandallah and Kaiwarra to-morrow night. Open-air ineetings'in support of (he Labour campaign will be held to-day ami to-morrow at Ghuznce Street and Green Street, Newtown.