THE MAYORALTY-.

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 42, 13 November 1926, Page 13

THE MAYORALTY-.

MR. NORWOOD TO STAND AGAIN

REPLY TO RECENT DEPUTATION

COUNCILLORS AND THE CIVIC LEAGUE

Consideration of municipal matters did not conclude with the City Council meeting on Thursday, although that meetting did not terminate until shortly after 1 a.lll. Recent events have given rise to many surmises as to the future of the Mayoralty of the city, and not the least interested in the issue are the members of the council, who with five exceptions (Councillors G. A. Troup, J. Aston, R. Semple, R. McKeen, and J. Glover) waited on His Worship in his room at the conclusion of the meeting. “We are going to pay you a compliment," said Councillor H. D. Bennett, “which I think has not been paid to any other Mayor, that is, on the eve of the coming battle for the occupancy of the Mayoral seat you have a majority of the councillors coming before you with the request that under all the circumstances you will allow yourself to be nominated for the position." In the political action ahead, said Councillor Bennett, the councillors felt that the responsibility should be shared by them, and they therefore took the earliest opportunity to express their full confidence in Mr. Norwood as Mayor of the city. The councillors felt that there had been a certain amount of cause for public feeling in connection with certain works, but the past term had been a most difficult period, and tlie councillors present; most of whom had been in office for a longer time than His Worship, realised that in one or two matters which had been receiving a great deal of publicity Mr. Norwood had been called upon to bear an undue share of blame, for the difficulties which had arisen were none of his making. Those present wished to declare that they shared at least equally tho responsibility of such works, and in one or two of the bigger things which had caused public comment they , shared the responsibility to a greater degree. Not only was the deputation there to express confidence in the present Mayor, but they wished also to express appreciation of the. tremendous energy and the very great sacrifice of time and personal interests which had. characterised his term of office. Those present felt, continued Councillor Bennett, that the first two years of occupancy of the Mayoral seat largely resolved itself iuto a training period, and during the next two years Mr. Norwood should be able to give even more valuable service to Wellington than he had up to the present time. There was the reason for the deputation to express confidence that that would be the case. The councillors present, added Councillor Bennett, liar! “confidence.in tho manner in which you have directed counpil matters in the past, and we have equal confidence of your ability to do so in tho future.’’ At tho present time, said Councillor Bennett, the city was on tho eve of great developments in the passing of the Town Planning Act. It was generally known that Mr. Norwood had big ideas on that subject, and with that wide vision ho had also the courage to carry ahead. Most of the present councillors would be standing again at the April elections, and Mr. Norwood could rely on them to tho full to support him in council and in the ‘election, battle. They sincerely hoped that they would lie able to throw the balance and obtain from Mr. Norwood word that he would again be a candidate.

Energy and Driving' Force. Councillor Luckie said that it gave him the greatest possible pleasure to be associated with the deputation, and to echo everything that Councillor Ben nett had said, expressive of the councillors’ appreciation of the wonderful energy and ability displayed by Air. Norwood ns Mayor of the city. “I have been a member.of this council for fourteen years, and I know of no Mayor or councillor who has devoted so much of his time, who has displayed such keenness and driving power as yourself, and it is our opinion that your business training eminently fits you for this position, and that in this city’s interest you should agree to seek, another term of office.” Luckie referred to Mr. Norwood’s keen interest in town-planning matters and to the improper way in which blame for matters which were' in no way under his control had been thrust upon him. , . . Councillor W. H. Bennett spoke similarly, referring also to the vast amount of service which Mr. Norwood had given during a former term of office as councillor in launching the city s nnlk supply scheme. Any man who could fight through with such a scheme against such opposition and difficulties had in that alone given a warranty of his fitness to occupy the nosition or Mayor. ■ , . The other councillors present each spoke urging Mr. Norwood to accede to the request. The Mayor's Reply. In reply, the Mayor said that , were no other thanks ever accorded him for his efforts on behalf of Wellington, then he would, after the remarks that had been made, feel amply and fully repaid. Better than anyone else did the councillors know the nature of the Mayor s work, and also- the time and energy which, if the Mayor endeavoured to do his work at all properly, must be put into the rffice. That they should wait upon him as they had was a compliment which ho appreciated very deeply indeed, more especially as some of those present had in many matters at times sharply differed from him. “Even if I should go forward and meet defeat,” continued Mr. Norwood

“then I shall always have this jfrflM ■E’JtisfactibfiT' t'fiafljy Thy 'actions "SufTrig 'this ■ term of office I have ■ gained the confidence of my colleagues at the council. table. -■ I-am satisfied tlrat during this term of office nothing has happened that the council would have undone. To-night I shall not give you my definite answer for a former deputation has waited upon me, and I have promised to advise them of my decision at the earliest moment. Let me tell you this much, however, that I shall not disappoint you."

“If personal interests had been placed first, I should not have sought re-election after my present term of office had expired, but the glove has been thrown down, and I accept the challenge, as much in defence of the good work of my fellow councillors as upon my own account."

TAKING UP THE GAGE MR. NORWOOD DECIDES TO STAND. Replying to Mr. John Hutcheson, as the chief spokesman of the deputation which recently waited upon Mr. Norwood. urging him to allow himself to be nominated for another term of office as Mayor, His Worship, after warmly thanking his friends for rallying round him, and doing him the courtesy of expressing some confidence in his administration of the city’s affairs, said that the curiously precipitate action of the Civic League and the decision of this body in favour of his colleague, Councillor G. A. Troup as its candidate, had left him no option, consistent with honour, than to again contest the Mayoralty. “Never before in my recollection has such curious haste been shown by the Civic League," said Mr. Norwood, “or any other lady as has been evidenced on this occasion, nor have such conditions arisen previously in the experience of the office of Mayor of this city; however desirous a man or party may have been for its own advancement. The fair attitude of Labour is in marked con. trast. Against Personal Interest. “Had 1 placed personal interests first, 1 should not have sought re-election after my present term of office had expired, but the glove has been thrown down and I accept the challenge, as much in defence of the good work of my fellow councillors as upon my own acco«nt. And, above all, if we are to en. tertain our Royal visitors in a manner befitting their high station, it is essential that there shall not exist the contentious atmosphere inseparable from an election campaign. ■ “The majority of the citizens of Wellington will conclude, I am sure, that the present time is not one for a premature upheaval in local politics, and that concentration on the completion of new works is more important than a doubtful experiment. Moreover, it must not be lost sight of that the new town clerk and city engineer should bo given every opportunity to assume control and undertake the reorganisation of their departments without any shadow of diverting influence... . , Not Wanting in Achievement. “It is not my intention to comment hero on the services rendered the city by the Mayor and council, except to say that a review of the past ten years will not find the present council wanting in achievement in comparison with - any other- even in the face of the disorganisation of staff which existed when it assumed office, and which has, of necessity, persisted until other arrangements coul’d be made.- The opportunity-will .he taken at the : right time to enumerate and explain the various works dealt with by the council, and I feel sure that the administration will reveal a close and businesslike application to the city's problems rather than an opportunist regard for political expedient. The present council has been lemarkablv free from cliques and cotcries. Even- section of the community has been allowed the fairest and fullest representation of its claims and has been treated accordingly. J feel hat the future of our city lies in the attraction to the high office of Mavar end councillors of men who have won their spurs in the business world and "ho have vision for future development and patience to achieve it. . . • “In conclusion. I do hope that the citizens will endeavour to «ocure tl e services of men conscientiously devoted to the service of the city and fitted to the dignity and responsibi.ity of tlie position. It must always le borne in mind that in accepting civic office and working for the common good, a certain self-sacrifice is necessarily involved. DECLARATION OF WAR CITY COUNCILLORS AND CIVIC LEAGUE. Councillor H. D. Bennett, who leM'tho deputation of city councillors in asking the Mayor, Mr. C. J? B. Norwood, to stand again, when asked if the incident had any special significance, made a most emphatic reply in the affirmative, lhe majority of the city councillors, he said, had long endured the grandmotherly and patronising homilies frequently issued from the office of the Civic League, until it has at last become intolerable. Councillors resent tho general tone adopted by the Civic League and they think, it is time they rebelled against it, aiid they purpose doing sb now. “Tho Civic League has,” continued Councillor Bennett, “undoubtedly wielded a power behind municipal elections, but the members seem to lave become completely intoxicated at the apparent success following their r.doption of a popular ticket, a success, of course, brought about by the inherent and potential factor that the citizens do not want class politics in our civic affairs. The influence wielded by. the Civic League in past elections is derived, therefore, almost wholly from the attitude of tlie Labour Party. Were that party to agree not to put up class candidates the need for reducing the number of citizens’ candidates for the civic offices would not te present. The present Mavor and council,” continued Mr. Benneft, “has been subjected to criticism almost approaching viciousness from irresponsible quarters, and the opinion is held that our public men were entitled to a greater measure of protection at the hands cf the Press nf the city. The Civic League, be it said with emphasis, in its handling of the small matters which come, up for its own consideration, has not given evidence to the public that it has earned a position enabling it to criticise others. Its handling cf civic affairs last year provided a classic case of ineptitude and councillors are of the opinion that it will repeat its blunders again. We are prepared to take up tlie challenge," concluded Councillor Bennett. He added that he and his colleagues, probably including the present Mayor, would fight the Civic League and make an appeal to the general public for fair play.