WILL GO TO POLL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 1

WILL GO TO POLL

AGAINST ALL COMERS

MR. BAILDON DEFINITE

Labour Candidate’s Remarks

“There is only one answer I can give to the request that I should go to arbitration with Mr. Warnock; one of us to stand down in the mayoralty contest, and that is that I will stand against all-comers. I had my nomination announced before Mr. Warnock was waited upon, and he knew it when he acceded to the request that he should contest the mayoralty. If there is going to be any vote-splitting, I am not responsible. We were in first, and we will be first when the figures go up.” This was the substance of Mr. George Baildon's remarks after his committee last evening decided that he should go t- the poll.

There was a good attendance at Mr. Baildon’s committee meeting, over which Mr. H. R. Mackenzie presided. The meeting was primarily called to appoint committees and get the organisation, supporting Mr. Baildon, in working order. Mr. Mackenzie explained at the commencement, however, that Mr. Baildon had been invited by the Citizens’ Progressive Election Committee, to submit his candidature, together with that of Mr. J. A. Warnock, to a committee of arbitration, the committee to decide who would stand down. Mr. Mackenzie was quite sure that if Mr. Warnock had consulted his own feelings he would not have stood against Mr. Baildon, particularly after he (Mr. Warnock) had been appointed deputy-mayor from tenth position on the polling results A large number of leading citizens were supporting Mr. Baildon, and among his nominators for a further term would be Sir Edwin Mitchelson, Mr. O. Nicholson, and Mr. R. B. Lusk, president of the Sports Protection League. The meeting unanimously decided to request Mr. Baildon to continue his candidature. “ NOT PARTICULARLY KEEN ” Thanking them, Mr. Baildon said that when first approached he had not been particularly keen on seeking re-election, though he had agreed to do so. He had had a rough time for the past two years, starting with a city turnover of roughly £1,000,000, and only £ll4 for which no commitments had been made. The cry last election had been for economy, and he had tried to carry out that policy. Later he would produce figures supporting his actions. He was not frightened by cries of “ vote-splitting,” and was sure that his organisation would leave them no prospect of a Labour mayor after this election. Mr. Baildon’s announcement, therefore, leaves the position at an interesting stage. MR. BLOODWORTH’S COMMENTS As was to be expected, Mr. T. Bloodworth took the opportunity of commenting on the position, at his initial meeting in the Town Hall last evening. “It matters not to me whether I have one, two, cr three candidates against me,” remarked Mr. Bloodworth. “Last year I polled 57 per cent, of the votes cast in the council election, and nearly a thousand more than any other candidate. Similar support this year will satisfy me.” A Voice: You should have been the deputy-ma y o r. Mr. Bloodworth: I didn’t ask for that. I wanted to be considered, but I should have been offered the position of chairman of one of the committees. I did the work of the chairman, and ‘hat satisfied me. If I was to retire now what would happen? Mr. Schmidt

would go in! He polled 6,000 votes last time against 9,000. I cannot face another two years of the muddle we have gone through, and I am standing because it is my duty to do so. OUT OF FAVOUR LABOUR MAN CRITICISED Owing to his attitude i: regard to the matter of unemployme i in Auckland, Mr. T. Bloodworth w 1 not have the support of the Inc Zealand Natives' Association in tlv rhcoming mayoral elections. The complaint of the association is not against the Labour Party, but against Mr. Bloodworth. It is stated that, when a deputation waited on the Auckland City Council on March 17 with regard to the holding of a street collection to assist the deserving cases among the unemployed, Mr. Bloodworth made strong opposition to the proposal. Although (it is stated) Mr. E. J. Phelan, who is closely associated with the unemployed, made a strong plea that the matter be referred to the Legal and Finance Committee, Mr. Bloodworth offered only opposition, on the ground that the proposed collection was* for charity. At a meeting of the association held last Thursday these sentiments were hotly resented, and the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That a strong letter be sent to Mr. Bloodworth respecting the antagonistic manner adopted by him toward the deputation from the New Zealand Natives’ Association with a request for a street collection to assist the distressed cases among the unemployed, and that a letter of approbation be sent to Mr. Phelan, thanking him for the strong plea made by him to have the matter referred to the Finance and Legal Committee.” [This matter was mentioned in the form of a question at Mr. Bloodworth’s meeting in the Town Hall last evening. Mr. Bloodworth replied that there were already organisations engaged on this work. He took up the attitude he did for this reason: That at the outside the association could only collect £SOO, which was a drop in the bucket, but might easily be used as a reason for the Government not providing work. They wanted work, not charity.] NOMINATION FOR COUNCIL Following a request by a deputation, Mr. F. W. Schramm, a well-known Auckland solicitor, and President of the New Zealand Natives’ Association, has agreed to accept nomination for the position of councillor on the Auckland City Council at the forthcoming elections.