LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 9

LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS

Sir,— Kindly grant me space to record ny objections to the Labour Party inroducing politics into our local 'elecions. I think they have a colossal I nerve o seek control of our council with their uast record.

By mismanagement Labour has ruined ingland, ruined Australia as well as New Zealand, and has also ruined the British Umpire. And now, to cap all, it aspires o ruin our own city. I hope therefore hat voters on Wednesday will record their ,-otes for the candidates with the best ndividual ability and save another dissster.—l am, etc., Be Intelligent.

Sir,—in perusing the literature disributed m connection with the coming ■lection in Green Island I read where me candidate is in favour of amalgamaion with the city. I trust no one will re influenced by this opinion as, having ived in both places, 1 can definitely state hat the city has nothing to offer us# Our jeneral rate, 2d lower than the city’s, would be raised immediately, plus more ’or the £1,000,000 transport system, the waterworks scheme and the expansion to Waipori, besides minor schemes such as ;ity drainage, etc., all of no added advantage to us. Our modern efficient bus service would be destroyed as the city would naturally not tolerate a private service within its bounds. For everything we get from the city such as rower, gas, water, we pay in the same way as we buy in a shop. The city has nothing' to offer us except higher rates without any added return. As regards street improvement, on amalgamation the works department would not rush out to Sreen Island with its mechanical equipment. On the contrary. It would complete its own programme of permanent works first Under these circumstances I suggest ratepayers give this matter serious thought before supporting such an idea.—l am, etc.. Observer.

Sir.—Owing to the attitude of the chairman at the Citizens’ meeting at Caversham on Friday last I was forbidden to ask questions of Mr Cameron and Dr North I should like to put these questions publicly: To Mr Cameron. —Will it be by increased tram and bus fares or rates that the large sum mentioned by Mr Cameron as required by the council will be raised? It sebms to me that whatever the label of the council in office under the present set-up these are the only methods. I should be pleased to learn if there is any other way not so burdensome to the taxpayer.

To Dr North.—Does Dr North infer that the present chaotic conditions prevailing under the maternity administration of the Hospital Board, which he expounded in full, are due to deliberate, obstruction on the part of the present Government?

I should be pleased to receive answers as I think these are matters the public should know.—l am, etc.,

Tell the Electors.

Sir.—The Labour candidates for the municipal elections are promising “ good, cheap and speedy transport” if elected I think most women will remember what happened when we had a Labour Mayor and councillors some years ago Noticing whatever was done to improve either the trams or tram services, but all the fares were greatly increased—the Id section abolished and the Is concession ticket reduced from 16 rides to 12, and later to eight, thus making Dunedin tram fares dearer than the other three main cities, when service and length of sections are considered. I have no doubt this kind of “ improvement ” would happen again. Promises are cheap.—l am, etc.. Not Fooled.

Sir,—As an individual; I am interested in the result of the municipal elections to be held during the coming week. Reading mv morning paper, it was with regret and amazement that I read of certain ot the " Blue Ticket ” candidates under the banner of the Citizens’ Association advertising to the effect that they are all returned service personnel. This method of appealing for votes on sentimental grounds is uncalled for, ungallant, and not fair, honest electioneering. The citizens as a whole are not interested as to where the candidates served during the past war. After all, we were all in it up to our necks. We are interested In whether the candidates have the • necessary ability to administer in the interests of the mass of the people as a whole, and it would appear that many of those advertising have previously been turned down by the people.—l am, etc., Ex-nigger.