THE LABOUR CANDIDATE.

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 183, 29 April 1919, Page 6

THE LABOUR CANDIDATE.

Mr. J. Read, the Labour nominee for tho Mayoralty, spoko in tho Concert Chamber last evening. His endeavour was to show iiow municipal enterprise might be used to reduce the cost of living The aim of business men, he raid, was to keep prices as high as possible, and in order to do this they sought,to make a failure of every social enterprise. He considered that the city should open a coal depot, to sell moro coal ( and cheaper coal than tho Government "busilißw men" sold from the State depot. Tho. fruit and vegetable markets of tho city were in a deplorable condition, but the markets were represented on the council, so tho conditions remained. The only thing for'the people to do, he said, was to "wipo the whole crowd out',' and start afresh with a new- Labour Council. lii reply to a question, M". Head said he would - be in favour of free municipal pictures in the parks of the city. To another nuestioner he said that Mr. Luke and Mr. Barber were standing because the Prince of Wales was coming and some titles might be distributed. A vote of confidence in tho Labour ticket was carried unanimously.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

POLITICS AND MUSIC AT THE KING'S THEATRE. A great many people who desired to hear the views of Mrs. J. R. Gibbona and Messrs. E. J. High'ton and licit ltoyle on municipal politics, and in. cidentallv to enjoy some fine singing, Blithered"at the King's Theatre yesterday afternoon. It was electioneering under novel conditions. Mr. A. Veiteh presided, and the proceedings .opened with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a film depicting American cities. After Mr. L. D. Austin had played a piano solo, Dr. Piatls-Mills introduced Mrs. J. R. Gibbons, and in doing so said that tliere was a departure from tho usual course in that she was temporary chairman merely for the purpose of introducing Mrs. Gibbons. In, referring to Mrs. Gibbons, Dr. Platts-Mills said that she did not need any introduction to the peoplo of Wellington except for the fact that she was seeking public honour. Mrs. Gibbons had been connected with tho St. John Ambulance for fourteen years. She was a member of tho Boys' Institute executive, was a member of the Navy Leaguo, and worked exceedingly hard during tho influenza epidemic. Mrs. Gibbons 6aid the idea of entering tho council occurred to her about six years ago, because she felt that women were not receiving consideration from the council. She hoped that another woman would bo returned with her—at all'events sho was going to be returned. She wanted rest rooms for women who come from tho suburbs. Theso rest rooms should bo built in tho city, by. tho city, for they were very much needed. She wantofi women sanitary inspectors to visit the houses, to go inside them, and see that they were, sanitary,, that tho windows were free to open, that the taps wero not leaking, and that the sanitary conveniences wero in good order, and that tho landlords were keeping tho houses in proper repair. She referred to the housing problem, and suggested that a special committee of the council should be appointed to attend to this matter. She was an advocate of through trams, and suggested that it was possible to reduce tho fares on long distances on tho_ samelines as tho sclioolchildren's tickets. Speaking of a fish market, she said meat was dear enough, but fish was a luxury, and presently the people would bo eating shark at a shilling a pound. She wanted to see littlo playgrounds all ever the city, and sho desired to seo the Town Belt opened to the public. Mrs. Gibbons received loud applause on concluding her speech. Mr. Bert Royle, who spoko next, said that when ho was approached a month ago to stand for the council he was taken by surprise and refused, but on thinking the matter over he decided to accede to the request. He was particularly glad to speak -after Mrs. Gibbons, who, ho said, ourrht to be put into (ho council, for there was room there for brnndminded, sensible women. Ho then referred to tho necessity of providing ample baths in tho city for the people, and he thought playgrounds wore badly needed for the children. Wellington was the worst place in New Zealand for sports grounds, and something must bo done in th? interests of the young people. He was of opinion thnt the housing problem should be tackled by u!ic council. Tho peoplo did not want to live in slums, and ho thought it would help rr, drive the people into tho suburbs if they bad uniform fares. It was demonstrated in Honolulu, thnt uniform fares paid. He insisted that the street denning needed improving, and this should receive prompt attention. It was Hie duty of tho City Council to look after tho health of tho people, and if elected ho would devoto his energies to securing the conveniences that he had ieferred to.

Mr. E. J. Righton said that as far as ho could sco the platform of Rayle and Righton wtis "Wake up, Wellington," and most of the other candidates hint filched their programme. Ho was in favour of rest houses as outlined by Mrs. Gibbous. Ho was an advocate of playing grounds for children, sports grounds, clean streets, and public musio ami art for the people. Ho wanted to sec plenty of band music, orchestral music, and other music for the people free. Ho was in favour of city markets. One tho question of housing, ho said tho council could engage in this scheme without any loss, and suggested that 'money could bo obtained from tho people bv the icsuo of municipal debentures. Tho matter v.i* not a charitable one. The scheme could and should bo made lo pay, that is io say, (hero should be no low to tho citv. The candidates wore asked and answered r. number of (innstions. During thn afternoon Signer Osaroni sang, lo the delight of the audipnee. A LABOUR RALLY. A number of the Labour candidates sooko at a meeting in the Concert Chamber last night. Mr. G. Ward was in tlic chair. Mr. A. W. Croskery was tho first sneaker. He criticised in dclail tho candidates opposed to the Labour ticket. Most of .nil he blamed the present councillors for having allowed the slum

areas to continue.. While all the other candidates were not united about tho housing problem, tho only party pledged to a houso scheme was the Labour Party. Tho only way to (jet the pcoplo into decent houses was to ■ build decent houses for them. Mr. T. Brindlo also criticised his opponents, being particularly Bovero on tho "business men." He declared that "the old Rang" would never solve the housing problem. Laljour, ho said, was the coining power. The working class of tho world were looking for something better in the future than they had endured in the past. They were'asking for "hotter houses, hotter food, belter clothes, better everything." Mrs. Beck justified the inclusion of women on the Labour ticket. She said that the qualities required in women in the management of (heir homes fitted them for controlling the city's affairs. Mr. P. C. Evans said that tho "town planners" were friends to Labour—every two years. He said that some of the councillors who voted against a redueliou of tho price of electric light were shareholders in the Gas Company. He stroncdv advocated reduction in car fares. Certainly there could be ji maximum faro of twopence, and the fixing of til's maximum would be one of tho first things done if tho Labour Party were returned to the council. Mr. John Glover said that the Labour Party would not. be satisfied if at the end of tho six months every hit of their platform were carried into effect. They sfrod for the socialisation of all the means of life, and their programme would always b» progressive. ITe accused lb" "business men" of the council of deliberately co"cniring lo make the cilv tramwav a failure.

A vote of confidence in the Labour ticket was carried unanimously. OTHER CANDIDATES. Mr. It. A. Wright spoko at Wadestown last night. Mr. A. B. Atkinson vas voted to the chair. Tho candidate dealt with the question of the council's abattoirs, and said that a very largo increase in business would shortly eventuate owing to the fact that the Meat Export Co. intended to discontinue sup. plying meat to Wellington. This would mean that extensive alterations to the abattoirs would be necessary almost immediately. Ho urged that in the expenditure of the city revomie necessary works should first receive attention. Speaking at a combined meeting at Wadestown Mr. H. D. Bennett stressed the necessity for providing for future councillors from tho youth of the community. Tho outstanding feature of most political elections was tho silence of the great middle classes, and he urged this section to provide for representation by voting for candidates of known moderate views. He dealt with tho.rclation of Labour and Capital, and pointed to tho. obvious possibilities resulting from the apathy of'electors on the great issues 1 put to them for decision at the ballotbox. His views on special municipal subjects were identical with those adopted by the Greater Wellington Electors' Association. Mr. Bennett also gave a short address to the residents of Lyall Bay, who gathered to hear candidates I running under the banner of tho Greater j Wellington Electors' Association. Mr. ! Bennett briefly referred to political 6ub- | jects on tho lines of his previous ad- ! (tresses, and called for support for the ! "new-blood candidates" on their ticket.

Speaking at AVadestown last night Mr. J, 11. Dale emphasised the need for honest and business-like meu on the City Council. The two qualities of honesty and business capacity wore what was needed in a candidate. The popular test of asking a man a question which involved no real principle, but only tho interest of the questioner was not a fair way to judge a candidate. What a sports body was to be charged for' the exclusive uso of'the Basin Reserve was such a question. It should not bo asked, but men who could bo trusted to deal fairly by the sports body and also attend to the interests of. the electors were the "men to vote for. Then the ehargo for the Basin or for municipal golf would bo settled at the right time in tho council and at the amount which should be charged. Speaking at Lyall Bay, Mr. Dale said he was not in favour of tho twopenny universal tram fare. He showed how it would work out by comparing the position of the two-section traveller with that of tho four-section traveller. Tho two-section traveller, of whom there were a large number, would bo penalised for the benefit of the longdistance traveller. Ho would not support a scheme which would charge tho two-section man more than at that would-be a retrograde 6tep. But he would support giving the long-distance man further concessions, up-to-dato .cars, and an express service. He would also do his utmost to make tho policy of tho tramways oue of progressive extension to the outlying districts nut now enjuying fast access.

Councillor W. H. Bennott, at a meeting of electors held nt Wadcstowii last night, after dealing with the work of the council in connection with tho milk arobloin. touched upon tho work of tho Libraries Committee, and mentioned the great success that had attended their endeavours to provide the various schools of the city and suburbs with healthy literature. Tho only jarring note had come from Wadestown, where those responsible had promptly returned tho box of books provided unopened—perhaps the residents would inquire into the matter.

CANDIDATES AND TICKETS. THE MAYORALTY, « The Mayoralty candidates are:— W. H. P. Barber. J. P. Luko. J. Read. Mr. Barber is on the "Business Men's" ticket and the "Citizens'" ticket. Tho Greater Wellington Electors'.Association had- Mr. T. Shatter Weston as its Mayoral candidato, and since Mr. Weston's retirement the association has not named another candidato as having tho official support of tho association. Mr. Read is the Labour candidate. PRESENT COUNCIL A. R. Atkinson. •W. H. P. Barber. W. H. Bennett. *John Castle. J. E. Fitzgerald. George Frost, ♦James Godber. M. M. F. Luckie. I.en. M'lCenzie. C. J. B. Norwood. J. 0. Shorland. W. J. Thompson. •A. Vcitch. R. A. Wright* •Not seeking re-election. Mr. Barber stands for the Mayoralty only. The total in tho alv'e list is 14. The fifteenth member was the lato Mr. A. H. Hindniarsh. GREATER WELLINGTON ELECTORS' ASSOCIATION'S TICKET. A. U. Atkinson. 11. D. Bennett. W. 11. Bennett. .1. 11. Dale. T. Forsyth. <s W. J. Gaudin. At. F. Luckie. F. W. Manton. F. 'Meadowcroft. C. J. B. Norwood. J. 0. Shorland. R, A. Wright. "CITIZENS'" TICKET. A, If. Atkinson. ■' W. 11. Bennett. M. F. Luckie. Lcn. M'Kcnzie. C. J. B. Norwood, •T. 0. Shorland. W. J. Thompson. R. A. Wright. J. J. Clarke. T. Forsyth. I'. Meadowcroft. S. George Nathan. E. J. Righton. Bert Rovle. Mrs. J. It, Gluteus. "BUSINESS MEN'S" TICKET. T. Forsyth. George frost. W. T. Hildreth, M. F. Luckie. !•'. \V\ Manton. F. Meadowcroft. L. M'Kcnzie. S. George Nathan. .1. 0, Sliorknd. W. J. Thompson. C. J. B. Norwood. J. M, Dalo.

E. J. Righton. ■ Bert Royle. W. H. Bennett. LABOUR TICKET. Mrs. Jessie Aitken. Mrs. Sarah Beck. T. Brindle. C. H. Chapman. A. W. Croskery. ]?. C. Evans. P. I'raser, JT. Glover. J. Hutchison. W. M'Arley. K. M'Koen. A. L. Montcith. Mrs. Sarah E. Snow, H. H. Stickncv. H. E. Swindell. UNCLAIMED. Following are candidates not on any ticket: — Mrs. Jano Donaldson, W. H. Edwards. J. E. Fitzgerald. A. R. Hornblow. C. D. Mackintosh. MUNICIPAL ELECTORS' ASSOCIATION. AIMS AND OBJECTS EXPLAINED. The aims and objects of the Greater Wellington Town-Planning and Municipal Electors' Association, which is running a "ticket" oi' twelve candidates lor the Wellington City Council, were explained last evening by Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, vicepresident of the association.

"The officers of the association admit thero are several 'ti'ikels' being issued for tho City Council, tho origin of which is uukuowii to the great majority, of the citizens," remarked Mr. Hunt to a Dominion reporter, "but they claim that there are really only two tickets with a clearly-defined policy, .i.e., the Greater Wellington Electors' 'ticket' and the Labour 'ticket.' There aro*jthcr 'tickets' of mushroom growth, which have been created apparently by certain individuals, and though tho names of u few candidates aro on all the 'tickets'—Labour excepted—it is clear that, the 'tickets' have-been prepared on the principle of selecting a few likely winners and coupling with mem the candidates who represent the special interest these outside 'tickets' are particularly designed to foster. Tho Greater Wellington Association has been in existence for the past nine years, and has from its commencement had affiliated with it some eight electors' associations' representatives of the city and suburbs, and its membership is open to any qualified elector on payment of tho nominal subscription. This year, as m years past, the association, quite apart from individual or class interests, has followed its usual course "of submitting it selection from the sitting councillors and new aspirants, who, in its opinion, will serve the city as a whole faithfully, and free from any suspicion of ulterior motives. Tho association is tho only organisation (apart from Labour) that has placed before the electors a definite policy. This policy embodies the leading principles of modern town-planning, which policy is supported by all its candidates on the official 'ticket.' This policy is not of recent growth,, but has been advocated by the association for several years past. The policy is a bold one, including as it does great questions, such as housing, slum abolition, parks, and playgrounds, etc., but. it is explained that this is part of a plan, the carrying out of which will bo spread over a number of years, ultimately .resulting in the realisation of ideal conditions for all citizens, irrespective of. class or social rank, The. association is not opposed to Labour representation, but consistent with its policy opposes, and will continuo to oppose, any section or class which sets out to dominate the City Council for class or vested interests."

Mr. J. P. Luke invites friends and supporters having motors disengaged to be in attendance with their cars at the Town Hall to-morrow morning. The Greater Wellington Town-Plan-ning and Municipal Electors' Association's candidates will address a meeting tonight at 8, at the Brooklyn School, when Messrs. H. D. Bennett, ). M. Dale, and T. Forsyth will speak. Meetings to be held at Ngaio Mctli»dist Church and at the Khandallah Public Hall will be addressed by Messrs. P. Meadowcroft, P. Mantoli, and W, J. Gaudiu. Under the auspices of the Wellington Citizens' Electors' Association a meeting will be held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, to-night, at which tho following candidates will speak:—Mr. W. H. P. Barber (Mayoral candidate), Messrs. Atkinson, W 11. Bennett, Luckic, M'Kcnzie, Norwood, Shorland, Thompson, Wright, Clarke, Forsyth, Meadowcroft. Nathan, Kighton, Itoyle, and Mrs. J. T{. Gibbons. Mr. A. It. Hornblow, a candidate for the City Council, has an annonlice'-nent in another column. Mr. Hornblow, whose parents were amongst the Dominion's pioneer settlers, was a caudidato at tho Inst. elections, when lie polled some 4500 votes. His policy was set forth in our issue of Saturday last as one of expansion and progression on vigorous lines. An announcement in connection with the city Mayoralty by Mr. J. P. Luke appears in another column. In connection with the l'otone Mayoral election, Mr. J. W. M'Ewan will hold lib final meeting in the Empire Theatro tc-night, at 8 o'clock. His subject will be "The Crucible." Tho final labour rally in connection with the municipal elections will be held from the verandah of tho Hotel Bristol at, 8 o'clock to-night. Open-air meetings, will be held at Green Street, Newtown; Boyd's Store, Hataitai; and at the Kilbirnie Post Office at midday to-day. Meetings will al6o bo held in the Post Office Square, from 12 to 2 p.m., at the Government Buildings from 12.30 to 1.30. A public meeting of electors of Eastbourne will bo held in tho Eastbourne Hall at 8 o'clock to-night, and will bo addressed by Mr. F. H. Mather, a candidate for the Mayoralty, and -several of the candidates for the Eastbourne Council. ■ ■