THE BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 81, 12 April 1913, Page 2

THE BOROUGH ELECTIONS.

SEYEHAL CANDIDATES SELECTED

SOME POLICY SPEECHES

A fairly well attended meting of southern ratepayers was hold last evening in the Hinemba Lodge Hall, Mr W. Brooking being in the chair. In addressing the meeting, the Chairman said that, as they knew, a meeting had been held previously, and a committee formed, tor the purpose ot securing suitable candidates to contest the coming election of Councillors. It had been reported to them that their old councillors were not going to stand, but they had used their best endeavours to! prevent this happening, and trusted that these Councillors, especially Councillors Dingle and Healy would again stand. (Applause.) Mr F. Arden stated that they had interviewed Mr C. E. James, who had stated that he regretted his inability for several reasons to contest the election.

Mr Childs said that the Committee, in endeavouring to secure genltemen to contest a seat on the Council, had understood that, their present representatives were retiring.

Councillor J. D. Healy stated he would not stand for re-election. In doing so, he explained that he had had five years of service, and felt that it was time some other citizen took up the running. 1 He Reminded those present that he had many other calls on his time, especially since he had been elected President of the Stratford A. and P. Association. Possibly his audience did not realise what calls were made on the time of a Councillor, but he could assure them that there was plenty of work to do, and it required—to be done properly—close attention. Some other time, perhaps, he would only be too willing to give the ratepayers his services, should they request him to do so. Councillor Dingle was non-commit-tal. He slated that there were very mauy organisations with which ho was connected, and he felt that he was looking after other people’s business, instead of his own. He was of the opinion now that others should take Up a part of the burden. The methods adopted by the present Council did net altogether meet with his ideas, especially as regards street construction. He felt that there were other men who could serve the ratepayers .better than he had done or could do. Personally, he would very much prefer to retire altogether. ’ 11 did ntjt matter much from where those ; candidates came. He wanted .the' best men as .Qouncillop—good, hardbeaded business mcn-j-and it ( was ! 'o- . no importance whether ithey <dine ft on l . iljie n,oriu,o\ tfte snJiith, so saw that money wifg.properljpand-{air-1 ly spent. (Applause.) ’ nafraeke. Mr R. G. Harkness asked if this meeting had pledged itself in any way to support any of the candidates suggested. The query brought from Councillor Dingle a condemnation of any tendency to place north against feotltlh. If the meeting adopted-any savoured of placing one end the town against the-other, it would find possibly that thp. south would find all its candidates out .Pi ' To his mind it was no question oh this side of the river, or any side of the river. Therp was very little doubt that at this time they wanted a good solid Council.

Councillor 11. McK. Morison agreed with Councillor Dinglo with regard to the south setting itself up to dictate to Stratford as to whom it should elect as Councillors. Personally, he would say that the question of north or south had never been one of hi? raising; he was out to serve the rate payers to the best of his ability, whereever they may be. He knew that il he contested this election, ho would get very large support from gentlemen living in the north for he had been told by many of them that they approved of his past actions. He had always supported those whom l he considered were doing the right thing and the best thing for Stratford, and what he had done before, he would do in the future. Over the loan proposals, he had taken up a strong attitude. He did not believe there was a person on the south side of the river —and he did not wish to dwell too much on the north versus south question—who ever thought that the whole of those proposals would go through Mr Morison said it was amazing how the amount to be spent on the streets had piled up, and more than they could ever hope to carry out had been placed on the estimates, and scheduled. Even with the ordinary revenue, they had to agree to certain work being done, for the purpose of getting what they considered was a fair and reasonable expenditure in some other district. There was any amount of room on the Council for good steady men. If he was no good, he desired those present to tell him straighl out that this was their opinion. He wished them to be perfectly candid in this matter. Mr Morison continued that as regards his policy, he was in favour of extending the Borough leases to a longer term ; he was not in favour of a man taking up a short improving the property, and running up the rent for somebody else, v. uo would take the lease ovet his head. (Applause.) As regards tin streets, he would have more money spent in water-tabling and channelling, as he considered a great deal of

mout-\ v: wasted at the present tim< in Coking aiter the streets. Conn- , illor iVlorison spoke of a water loan as a necessity, and considered that a line would ultimately have to h run up Pembroke Road, thus doinr? away with the difficulties that the private ownership of land incurred In conclusion, the speaker eulogised the service to the town of the Municipal Band and the Fire Brigade, and

characterised both institutions as worthy of the financial support of the ratepayers, since they rendered such good service to Stratford. (Applause.) Pressed for a definite answer, Councillor Dingle spoke further on the methods of tho Council as at present constituted. He stated that he was not in favour of tho Borough employing an overseer, but thought that a working foreman would give more satisfaction to tho ratepayers. Ho was net .saying a word against the present officer who held the position of oven seer, it was the principle lie was attacking. Mr Sullivan was doing good work, and had saved tho Council a considerable sum in preparing tiic estimates. At the same time, he considered that what would meet Stratford’s requirements better was a level-headed, hard working foreman, wiio would work with the men and give them a lead. By increasing the present staff of workmen—in which case it would be necessary to increase the present ratelie knew that a great amount of street improvements could be accomplished that would otherwise have to be done out of loan money. Councillor Dingle continued that he thought everyone should have the benefits of the water system, and considered that die ear-marking of the extra money from the Reserves might be used to finance the extensions of the water system. So far as drainage and sewerage were concerned, Mr Dingle said that if people wanted these things they should pay for them. He was not going to stand in the way of anyone caving the benefit of these modern improvements, hut he was decidedly of, the opinion that they should pay for it by special rate. In conclusion, Councillor Dingle said he was not satisfied with what he had done in his recent term of office. He had been sitting at the feet of other councillors, trying to learn and understand their methods. If he stood for election, and if the electors returned him, fie would say straight out that lie would endeavour to have adopted a iifferent system from the one which it present obtained. It might lose aim votes, but he would use his very jest endeavours to exchange the overseer for a good, intelligent working foreman. (Applause.) Councillor Lawson said he preferred giving his views on Borough affairs to -i representative meeting, as he was not altogether in favour of a meeting pf this nature. However, he thanked the meeting very much for nominating him, and assured then/' that he f aad in the past endeavotired ,to do ais best: in the interests of all the ratepayers, whether they lived-in the north, south, east or west. His future policy would be modelled on similar lines. (Applause.) I Mr F. Arden thanked thofie present ’or nominating him as a candidate for the'election l of .pnijticillors. 'lf elecp£<3,( he. wpqltl <Jo his best for all the ratepayers;;' he would nail his dolours id the mast find Would stick to them. As an experienced roadman—he had mpervised many' a contract in Mr Clhme’s time—he considered that the present system of road-making was not altogether satisfactory. For one tiling, he thought that the roads were formed too flat, thus causing the water channels to run down the middle •of the streets. This was merely one of the points which he wished to emfiiasise. In conclusion, he could assure all his supporters that he was a worker, and not a drone, and would put his whole heart into the serving of the ratepayers’ interests, should they desire that service of him. (Applause). Mr Harkness moved that Mr Dingle ffiould he nominated as a candidate for the election of Councillors. He eulogised Mr Dingle’s past services, and said that undoubtedly the Council was in need of experienced men if the class of this nominee. At the ame time, Mr Harkness desired that .ho good services rendered by Councillor Healy should be placed on record.

The Chairman seconded the motion, which was carried.

In reply, Councillor Dingle said that if he studied his own inclinations, or his own interests, he would not stand, but if they wished him to do so, then he would acquiesce. “At die same time,” Councillor Dingle continued, “I have never asked for ■i vote, and I don’t intend to do so aow. I shall not send out motor .•ars. If you cannot walk to the polls md vote for me, then I don’t want your vote.” (Applause), and a voice, “We’ll get the votes for you.”) Councillor Healy thanked the meeting for the motion passed, recognising what services lie may have rendered in his capacity as Councillor.

The committee having now nominated five gentlemen as candidates tor the Council election, it was decided to reduce this number to four. The names submitted were:—Councillors Dingle, Morison, and Lawson, Messrs Arden and Walsh. On a balot being taken the three Councillors and Mr Arden were elected to stand for election. Tn thanking those present for their choice of representatives, Mr Walsh said he was pleased at their decision. He could assure them that he would low use his host endeavours to foiward the interests of these gentlemen’s candidature. (Applause). Cr Healy thr#w out the suggestion that it would be advisable to hold a public meeting at an early date, to discuss the situation, and the suggestion was favourably received. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.