LABOUR’S CRITICISM

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

LABOUR’S CRITICISM

Neglect And Mis-Planning In Civic Control APPEAL TO ELECTORS “Neve’r have so many owed so little to so few.” said Mr. James Roberts, Labour candidate for the Wellington mayoralty, when criticizing the record of past councils in addresses at Wellington North and Miramar last night. All the camouflage efforts of Mr. Appleton and the Citizens candidates could not hide from the public the known deterioration and mis-plan-ning of large parts of the city, and neglect to provide homes for an ever-increasing population, he declared. I here were excellent attendances at both meetings. The issue lay with the electors, Mr. Roberts said. The test was whether. after casting their eyes round the city and suburbs, they could honestly say that past councils had given them an adequate transport service, whether they had built one house during their years of office, whether there were any slums, and whether streets were in a good state of repair. The vote on May 27 would show what sort of city control the people were prepared to accent. If they, wanted action, and lift unfulfilled promises. Labour would give it as it had done so nationally, the benefits from which had been amply demonstrated by the majorities Labour held in Parliament for three successive terms. What bort of excuse was it that labour and material were not now available for many works when those jobs should have been, done vears ago? Was slum clearance a problem that had cropped up in the past year dr two only? Were the bad conditions of streets, the lack of an adequate water supply and the need for a better tram and bus service matters that had originated in recent years only? Furthermore, the cost of doing these jobs was now greater. "Was that prudent management? Citizens analysing these matters surely must conclude that the excuses were lame and that the time was opportune for the sacking of the non-doers and the return of a council which would build a city of which citizens could be proud. A Labour administration would use the profit made in any municipal undertaking, particularly transport, to give better and improved services, notably to people living in isolated districts. Tramway finance would be expended in improving tramway and bus services. Housing was regarded as of first priority. Labour would co-operate with the Government in its housing scheme and would, in addition, undertake a housing scheme of its own as early as possible. Loans would be obtained from the Government at a low rate of interest for this work, and full advantage would be taken of the assistance of the Government to obtain labour and material. Town planning was urgently needed. It must be undertaken together with slum clearance, and provision must be made for separate residential and industrial centres. -Sufficient plans had been drafted for a dozen civic centres in Wellington. Business men would have built a proper civic centre during the. depression years when labour and material were available in abundance. „ , . The lack of provision of adequate maternity services to cope with the increasing birth-rate over the last few years was attributable to inefficient administration of hospital board affairs, said Mrs. L. A. Allen, city council and hospital board candidate. Labour was deeply concerned about the welfare o<the mtfthers-to-be, who were at present forced to enter private homes at excessive fees which nullified the free maternity benefit provided by the Government. Why could a better service in the collection of household refuse not be given in Wellington, specially, in the interests of health? asked Mr. J. Arthurs, city council candidate, speaking at Miramar. A weekly service, at least, should be instituted without delay. The men on this work were doing a great job under very arduous conditions, and they should be given some consideration. This question would be given every consideration by a Labour council. Apathy on the part of Labour supporters had led to the names of- many residential electors being purged from earlier rolls, said Mr. C. H. Chapman. On the present occasion there were 90,000 names ou the rolls, of which over 60,000 were residential electors and the remainder ratepayers. If the residents voted they could sweep the polls. The tragic accommodation position for many people, particularly young girls, was referred to by Mrs. C. Stewart. Labour would endeavour to rectify this in its housing policy. The present rackrenting system should never have been permitted. Labour would overhaul the oiit-modeu harbour facilities, to ensure a quicker turn-round of ships, said Mr. T. Hill, city council and harbour board candidate. The harbour board had ample reserves to meet these essential improvements. ' ■ , The Rev. M. Ayrton defended Labour s rightful claims to control of local body affairs by quoting . examples of the achievements of jyorking men and women the world over. Were those who could confer benefits on mankind to be denied a say in civic control? tonight’Fmeetings Tonight the Citizens’ candidates will hold meetings at the St. John Ambulance Hall, Vivian Street; St. Cuthbert’s Hall, Berhgmpore; and the Realm Hall, Hataital. The mavor, Mr. Hislop, will preside at the St. John Ambulance Hall meeting. The speakers are advertised. All meetings will start at 8 p.m. Labour candidates, whose meetings will 'also start at 8 p.m., will speak tonight at the Masonic Hall, Island Bay, and at the Webb Street Methodist Hall.