MR. HISLOP HITS BACK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 190, 10 May 1944, Page 8

MR. HISLOP HITS BACK

Administration Defended

QUESTIONS FOR LABOUR

The Citizens’ campaign, at Vivian Street Hall last night, was given an unusual flavour when the retiring mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, vigorously defended the councils over which he had presided for 13 years. He concluded with several questions to Mr. Roberts which, he contended, showed the hollowness and hyprocrisy of the Labour candidate’s utterances. 1

In, attacking the council concerning overcrowded trams, said Mr. Hislop, wa* Mr. Roberts equally prepared to attack the Government for restricted train services, the crowded carriages and the fact that only one person in 100 could get a permit to travel? In slating the council’s wartime bus services, would Mr. Roberts also attack the Government road bus services for running at too long and insufficient intervals? When thousands of persons who previously used their own motor-cars now took trains, was Mr. Roberts going to blame the Government for these vehicles being immobilized or did he say it was the council’s fault? Criticizing the council’s housing progress, would Mr. Roberts also say the Government did'not build a single house last year and very few the year before? Was he prepared to blame the Government for the shortage of the commodities people could not get or woi.id he blaine the cpuneil for that, too? Mr. Roberts knew'the reason that affected both the council and the Government alike in wartime. If he was going to attack one, then he must attack the other.

•Mr. Hislop said he presided at the meeting and spoke for two good reasons. First, Cr. Will Appleton, mayoral candidate, and the Citizens’ ticket were loyai, good and'proved friends at all times. Second, the campaign of the opposition was along one line only—an attack on the council of which he had been mayor so long. “That affects me, and I never have and am never going to listen to that sort of thing if I consider that some reply is due to the citizens.” Mr. Roberts had told the people to look around at streets, transport, housing and the like, but he never mentioned for one moment that there had been a war for nearly five years or that the council’s services and plans were seriously affected by necessary restrictions imposed by the Government in which he was the moving hand. Mr. Hislon continued that he came to office in 1931 in the depths of the slump, with a large deficit in the receipts and payment account. Mr. Roberts had spoken of how the council treated people during the slump. The answer was that he (Mr. Hislop) was re-elected unopposed at the next election when it was open to Mr. Roberts or any of his friends to have fought him. Better times came with world recovery, then war, but despite all the varied circumstances experienced by a council, which included Cr. Appleton and many seeking' re-election, there had never been a similar period of development work. Rates had not been increased, except through the compulsory hospital levy, the debt had been reduced by nearly a million, and finances so established that the council had the means to take full advantage of the peace to come.

“In all my dealings, workers in my own business or those with whom I have been concerned have had a fair deal, and I defy Mr. Roberts to prove otherwise,” said Cr. Appleton. “Mr. Roberts talks about the 10 per cent, cut, which was a national measure, but he does not mention that the ‘Maoriland Worker,’ of which he was then a director, was one of the first to impose it.”

Or. W. H. Stevens said that Mr. Roberts in criticizing the tram service did not mention the men and women on the trams, in the power house and workshops who. were giving long hours to keep the service going, even coming back on the holidays. Labour criticised the rubbish collection but said nothin!* of the ■ men, 12 short in their staff, working 56 hours a week to give a reasonable ' service. These council workers were maintaining essential services at the expense of their own leisure, even of their health, and he would defend them against all comers. • » » *

An outstanding British characteristic was fair play, but Labour candidates who berated the council for inconveniences caused solely by the war were insulting the intelligence of electors, said Cr. M. F. Galloway. ■* ♦ •

Cr. J. D. Sievwright said much capital was being made out of' the recent legislation compelling enrolment. This only meant forcing people to exercise a right they had previously enjoyed and Labour was making a huge mistake in thinking that every new name added to the roll meant an nnti-Citizens’ vote. More voters meant more interest and that benefited the side .which had the best record, the best policy and the best*plans. Sir Charles Norwood, harbour board candidate, at Karori West, regretted a “ticket” contest. He believed it would be a grand thing if citizens could just pick from a number of aspirants those they wanted. There was no man on th? Citizens’ ticket without -a reasonable claim to support because of his personal standing. Wellington’s barhour installations and facilities had helped to make the city great; let that policy be continued.

TONIGHT’S MEETINGS

Citizens’ candidates will hold two meetings tonight—at Lyall Bay public school and the Roseneath Presbyterian Church hall in The Crescent. The speakers are advertised. The meetings will commence at 8 p.m. The Labour candidates will address meetings at 8 o’clock tonight at the Kai. warra School and at the Cashmere School, Khandallah.

Dr. H. Silverstone and Mrs. C. Birchfield, Communist candidates for the city council and hospital board, will address meetings at the corner of Derwent and nibble Streets, Island Bay, and also at the corner of Wallace and Hargreaves Streets, at 7.30 o’clock tonight. On Tuesday afternoon next, Mrs. KnoxGilmer, Miss Amy Kane, and Miss B. Cable will address meetings of women at 2.30 and at 5 p.m. in the K.S.U. room, Nathan's Buildings.