WELLINGTON'S GOOD. THE CITIZENS' LEAGUE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 85, 11 April 1911, Page 2

WELLINGTON'S GOOD. THE CITIZENS' LEAGUE.

ITS JUSTIFICATION AND ITS AMBITIONS. 'AGAINST LABOUR. Labour is making a bold bid for seats on the City Council, working a vigorous campaign. A counter movement has arisen in the organisation of the Wellington Citizen's League, which does not view with any great favour the prospect ol a dominance of Labour in corporation politics. The league held its initial meeting- last evening. The chairman, of tho gathering (Mr. H. C. Teweky) explained the league's justification for com^ ing into existence, and its ambitions, lhere had been, he eaid, a good deal of speculation in regard to the formation, of a league such as this. It was a. simple thing to answer. The league already had probably from' soo to 1000 names enrolled, ai>d yet, there was such a small number (about 50) present that evening, lhere were many business men who were quite willing to become members of the league to assist, bub they objected to coming out into the front for fear that it will work them haTm in their business. "Personally, I feel that the time has arrived so far as the municipal life of Wellington is concerned," eaid the chairman, "when we want to get men who have no axe to grind— men whoso aim will be, on broad lines, the good of Wellington." Now they w-cre up against a problem—the Labour ticket. Men who could sympathise both with capital and with Labour were wanted. Such if they got into the council would do justice to everybody. When that representation came Wellington would be in a safe position. DANGER OF THE CAUCUS RULE. Now it (the league) was up against the Labour ticket. Person-ally they all, he felt sure, had nothing against Labour itself, but he believed that the league could select candidates who would give Labour all' it wanted in' a fair and square contest — men who would administer on sound and right Knee. It was probable that, should Labour predominate, theie would be a distinct change. It wae a well known fact that in those who had the least to lose there was a greater tendency to epend. Ho (the epeaker) would not cay that if the present Labour candidates got in th-ey would be extravagant. Were those who had something to lose going to allow such a possibility a© the Labour Party with the spending power not commensurate witll, commoneeiiEe to get into power? "It is the unfortunate part with the Labour Party," added Mr. Tewsley, "that it is ruled by a caucus. There are very capable men in the party, but they are ruled by the caucus— fche Trades and Labour Council. They must of necessity be bound by what the Trades and Labour Council can say to them." THE LEAGUE'S ATTITUDE. The league must try and find out successful and strong business men as candidates, and not attempt to tie them in any shape ' or form. These men, if elected, would give all a fair run. This was the attitude the Citizens' League took up. Continuing, the speaker touched upon the' possibilities of combined Labour on the City Council. The party would doubtless largely increase the tramway and general labourers' claim. "The general impression in the minds of the public is," said Mr. Tewsley, "that once the party gets into power it will mean an increased expenditure of from _ £12,000 to £15,000 per annum. This in its turn will mean an increase in rates and laxes;" The speaker referred to the possibility of air unfair division between 1 Labour and Capital. Tho league wished to avoid this. It wanted men to go to the council who were in sympathy with Labour and men who could understand that there were certain underlying principles which must be followed up in order to deal fairly with the whole position. LIVING CONDITIONS MUST BE MADE EASIER. Reference was made to the depressed condition nf business affairs in Wellington. Valuations had gone up enormously, and it was a well-known fact that there were at the present time a very large number of buildings empty. It was .also well known that 'people found it impossible to pay the rents that had to be asked, and went further North or to other parts of New Zealand outside Wellington. It was a great pity that such a thing should be in existence. "Anyone,"' 1 added tho speaker, "would tell you that Wellington is absolutely one of the most difficult places in New Zealand at the present time for any man or woman to make a livelihood. We want the valuations to come down, and living conditions to be made easier." Living in Wellington was at least 33^ per cent, higher than in any centre outside the capital. A trenchant policy, Mr. Tewsley added, was necessary in connection with municipal life. What was required in the council were men who would try and cut clown the terrible outlay and expenditure now going on. The corporation should try and live a more frugal life. Every £1 it was going to spend it should make certain that it was going to get absolutely full value for it. HARBOUR BOARD REPRESENTATIVES. Men should be returned to the Harbour Board with the same idea in view. They would want to see that any money spent must show a fair return. When that was so Wellington, he hoped, would then bo the cheapest and best port in New Zealand.