CITIZENS’ CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 189, 9 May 1944, Page 6

CITIZENS’ CAMPAIGN

Mr. Appleton And Team At Karori LOCAL ISSUES COVERED When Or. Will Appleton. Citizens’ candidate for the Wellington mayoralty, told Karori West citizens last nitfht that his opponent thought that without a daj*s civic experience he could run the city* an Interjector called out, “Well, nes been running New Zealand for several years. Transport and, in certain areas, drainage* being important domestic issues with Karori residents. Or. Appleton confined his remarks largely to these subjects-. Wartime Sunday services were not perfect. he said, but men and women operating them on a working week ot oU hours and more, 13 days out of 14, were entitled to consideration. hat time oft they got was little enough. The problem was manpower j unlike the opposition, the council could not, during the war. produce manpower, materials, fuel, tyres and new buses out of a hat. That was a brand of magic to which Citizens’ candidates Street drainage, Cr. Appleton said the council had the materials months before the work began. After council- and residents representations, 12 men were released from the army, but withdrawn after a few weeks. The* council was left to carry 011 with three regular employees. Then labour from outside Wellington was tentatively offered if the council paid £2 a week each for board in a defence camp. This did nt)t guarantee suitable labour, vvitn which the council had some unsatisfactbry experience on earthquake repairs. Now the National Service Department offered to pay 30/- a week, if the council paid 10/-. The council would consider this and probably have to agree. MiRoberts boasted how he could get all the labour he wanted from his friend, Mr. -UcLagan. If he could, there was 'sometiling rotten in the state of Denmark, because the Citizens’ council could not ” The council had no staff to run eyerj car to Karori west. Only last week it had to cut over seven shifts thr0 o btaff shortages. From 6.26 a.m. to 8.42 a.m. on weekdays there were ‘22 cars from Karori Park to the city; one every six minutes. If Sunday cars ran via Bowen Street there would be no service for Tinakori Road residents and only halt a service for Molesworth Street. Minimum fares proved a failure in a three weeks’ trial on the Miramar and Seatoun routes. A tally would be taken to determine the merits of the Tringham Street compulsory “in” stop request. Ka" rori would have had a. 10-minute service but for labour shortages. On the works side the shortage could be instanced by the number two district, which had four men instead of 51. At Karori Mr. Appleton told a questioner the council stood for home ownership, and till the ■ Government stopped building 109 homes had been built under council finance. Now £lOO,OOO more was available.

Cr. M. Fraser told the same questioner, ■who alleged the council to be the biggest owner of slum property, that every week the health committee had houses condemned, some belonging to the council, but no magistrate today would grant a closing order unless there was another house for the person displaced. . Meantime the Government's slum clearance policy was delayed. • ■ Local bodies were not legislative, he continued. They had to work within the law. Those making great promises should remember that local bodies were administrative only. Voters should bear in mind that sound administration required experience. . Cr. E. M. Gilmer, at Brooklyn, pledged herself to redoubled efforts toward civic improvement and social amelioration. In particular she would always advocate the interests of women and children. Mr. E. R. Toop, at Karori, said the Citizens’ policy was bold and progressive development. It had the plans ready for work to start when labour and materials were available from essential war work. . Cr. M? S. Galloway, at Karori West, warned citizens against electing a council which would leave the city like the proverbial parrot, “with not a feather to fly with.” In civil dealings with the Governmpnt he believed in emphasizing points of contact rather, than difference because each had its difficulties in times like these. Increased issues at existing suburban libraries were quoted by Cr. W. I. Gaudin as proof of their worth to the commipity, and he urged support of the libraries loan. Districts which had libraries cbuld by their votes help to give the same amenity to those now less fortunate.

Cr. B. J. Todd, at his meetings, specially appealed' to the younger citizeps to take a close interest in the elections and exercise their vote. • A young man himself, tie had been appointed to the council three years ago and was being given his grounding in civic affairs by experienced men who had successfully guided Wellington for many terms.. He felt he liad a special responsibility to the younger generation whose welfare was linked with the sound progress of Wellington.