PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES' MEETING

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 409, 13 September 1918, Page 3

PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES' MEETING

The Progressive Candidates opened their campaign last night when a largely attended public meeting was held in Richardson's Sail. Mr E 8. Cole presided Mr R. M. Gillespie (chairman of the outgoing Board) was the first speaker. After reading the Board's balance sheet for the year ending March 31st last, he claimed that it compared more than favourably with that of any previous Board. If, he said, as much metal had nut been put on the roads as expected such was dne to the difficulty of procuring it but since the balance sheet was compiled 343 yards of metal had been obtai ed and most of it had been laid on the roads. Referring to the removal of the saleyards, Mr Gillespie pointed out that that matter occupied a foremost plank in their platform when the Board was elected and the Board could take credit for the removal now being an accomplished fact. No genuine attempt, he said, had been made to have the yards shifted until the Progressives took up the reins of office, although the Health Department had told previous Boards that the yards were insanitary. The Board, he claimed, also deserved credit for bringing about an extension of the Town District boundaries, which would produce an increased revenue for the upkeep of the roads, which had previously been largely used by those who paid rates to one of either of the Counties instead of to the Board. Mr Gillespie proceeded to criticise the actions of certain parties, who had made a Boundary Commission necessary, thus involving heavy expenditure that might otherwise have been avoided. He expressed himself as opposed to the inclusion of the Wairoa road area as suggested to the Commission since it would cost £3OOO to metal the unformed roads there, besides increasing the cost of the water scheme. The Ratepayers' Association, who led the opposition, he contended, was not out to assist them but to hold them up. Mr Gillespie next referred to the steps taken by the Board to institute a watersupply scheme, with which might be combined an electric light installation. The Board was giving the matter careful consideration and once the water supply was instituted drainage would follow On the roadiog question Mr Gillespie stressed the need for up-to-date rot. ding. He criticised the unbusiness like methods of previous Boards in their road construction, whereas, he said, the Board, of which he was a member, had been guided by a competent Engineer, who would also ad?ise them in the future. The speaker next upheld the principle of rating on unimproved values. He gave illustrations of the beneficial effects that would accrue to the town by the adoption of unimproved rating. Mr Gillespie went on to say that the chief policy of the Progressive party was the matter of raising loans. He was in favour of a straight out loan. The time had to come when a loan would be needed and he was of opinion that money could be more easily and more cheaply obtained now than after the war. To have progress they required a loan. Those who were opposed to the loan were supporting stagnation and he urged the electors to only re turn candidates pledged to support the raising of a loan. Mr Gillespie denied the insinuation made against him that he was not a ratepayer. " A ticket," he said, was being run by the property owners who were opposed to loans In conclusion Mr Gilletpie remarked that the Progressive Party stood for a loin and a loan at once on the Engineer's estimate. He therefore trusted that at the ballot box the electors would put their faith in the Progressive candidates. (Loud applause\ Mr P Holt explained that he was opposed to loans for the present As things now were he thought they were not entitled, publicly or privately, to spend money on luxuries Speaking with reference to water and drainage schemes Mr Ho'tsaid they had managed without them for some years and at the present junc turn they ought lo try and do without them until after the war Mr W Mcintosh advocated a loan because, he said, wi h the present income there was no chance of laying down permanent roads. By a substantial loan they rould construct roads that would last for 20 years. A £30,000 loan would to the average householder with a house valued at £SOO and a quarter acre section

mean only an increase of la 6d per week in rent. For the Is 6d they would have water, electric light, good roads and footpaths. He would also like to see a brick area defined and by-laws set up to allow a proper inspection of drainage. If returned, he would do all in his power to further the interests of the electors as a whole. Mr A. Baker endorsed Mr Mcintosh's remarks. Mr J. E. Craies said he was out for progress but not for lavish expenditure. A loan was required to construct good roads and footpaths and to make the town as attractive as possible. . Mr A. L. Turner thought Papakura had remained stagnant long encugh. He supported a substantial loan because roads and footpaths could not be constructed out of rates. Various questions were asked and answered by the candidates and an enthusiastic meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the candidates for their addresses. The campaign will be brought to a close next Tuesday evening when the Progressives will again address the electors in Richardson's Hall.