“BEST FOR ALL”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 6, 29 March 1927, Page 7

“BEST FOR ALL”

CITY MAYORALTY MR. BLOOD WORTH’S POLICY OPENING OF CAMPAIGN | made this offer: That if a business man, capable of doing the job, and likely to be successful at the poll, was nominated for the Mayoralty, * would not be a candidate*, but would be willing to continue as a councillor. lam satisfied no alternative to the present state of muddle, confusion and apathy, is offered to anyone of the other three candidates. -For this reason I have decided to jffer my services,” said Mr. T. Bloodworth, at the Town Hall last evening, in opening his campaign for the Auckland city mayoralty. “It is not that I have personal ambitions in that direction, but I believe that I can fill the office with advantage to the city and credit to myself, at thf same time giving the city a holiday from the present do-nothing position.” There was a full attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr. M. J. Savage. M.F. The candidate said that before the last municipal elections, when it was known that Sir James Gunson would not accept nomination for a further term, be was asked and urged i to become a candidate. At that time.'though offered support, he declined, believing that he had work to do as a councillor. He had therefore supported Mr. Baildon, the present Mayor, and had done his best to make his term a success. It had, however, been apparent for some time that the present administration was not giving satisfaction. It had been stated by a supposedly responsible organ that ‘ it was not difficult to discover a logical relation between the extent of unemployment and the extraordinary lethargy that had characterised the administration of local affairs during the last two years.” With that he was in agreement. A challenge was made to the business community to put forward a citizen really representative of the progressive, confident spirit of Auckland. Tfce first response was from the present deputy-mayor, Mr. J. A. Warnock. In his opinion Mr. Warnock must share with Mr. Baildon any blame which attached to the mayor. As the mayor’s

deputy he had had an opportunity to show his ability as a leader. He had no such capabilities. He had not at any stage shown any disapproval of the inactivity and confusion into which the council was drifting. Mr. Warnock offered a change in person only. The other candidate was Mr. Schmidt, a man who had no experience of council business, and, as' far as he knew, had no experience whatever in localbody work of any kind. BUSINESS AND LABOUR “The prejudices against me I know well,” he continued. *‘l am supposed not to be a business man, and 1 am a Labour man. “With regard to the first, my reply is that I have been with business men on the City Council and other local bod.es for the past eight years. From them I have learned a good deal about business; how to do some things; how not to do others. Also, I would say that for the past 13 years I have managed, and successfully managed, one of the most intricate and complicated of businesses—that of a large industrial union, a business which calls for skill, tact, judgment, and above all, patience, all qualities required for the office of mayor. I have served a long apprenticeship in the very school which should fit me for this office. My record in my business is known to you, and so, also, is my record in localbody matters, both on the City Council and other bodies. With respect to the second objection or prejudice That 1 am a labour man —a member of the Labour Party—l make no apologies for that. I do not think there is room for party politics in local government, and during the years I have been in local government here I have not known party politics to be introduced except at election times. I certainly have not introduced it at any time. Local government is a question of administration, not of legislation, and in matters of administration is riot a question of what is best for Reform or Liberal or Labour, but of Jffhat is best for all. I have always held that I can do what is best for all if rst considering what is best for the poorer sections of the community; those who are least able to look after themselves, and by doing that I really help all classes, for no community can be really great if, in its progress, it I §>nores the position of its poorer citizens, and no action which really improves the position of the poorer citizens can fail to benefit ultimately all sections of the community." Continuing the speaker said he had been long enough before the citizens for them to know him as he was, whether Labour candidates were regarded as bound to an extreme party or not. He considered that the first duty of the mayor, his most important duly, 'yas to make himself conversant with the business of the council, and to put that business before the council and assist it to a right decision. He must act as a mouthpiece, and, if need be, defend the council. He had been chairman often enough to know the duties of a chairman, and he had, in Ve ry important matters, both explained a nd defended the council’s policy. GREATER AUCKLAND He would, as mayor, always act the ideal of “Greater Auckland” view, not forcing his views on others, but endeavouring to co-oper-ate with them. His idea was that the existing smaller local bodies should regain, but that they should administer only minor matters, and that a major oody should function to deal with all greater-city matters such as loans. Power. trams, water, drainage and tuain roads. about 22 local bodies, as at Present, some of the problems were bot capable of solution. He did not recommended municipalities taking over private enterprise where it was functioning satisfactorily. He favoured a universal tram-fare, but it was impracticable under the present system of control. If the council had full control of the area served by the trams a universal tram-fare, at certain hours of the day, would be feasible and Payable. • Bloodworth outlined the follow-

ing other matters as portion of his policy: 1. The carrying out of council work by direct labour, as in the case of the concrete roads and other works; 2. speeding up of town-planning and the clearing out of slums: 3. municipal creches and rest rooms: 4.rating on unimproved value; 5. the inclusion of Mount Eden in the city; 6. the opening of all possible meetings of the council and committees to the public; 7. the free use of all branches of the public library. He remarked that one of his private fads concerned the acquisition of one of the Gulf Islands as a city resort. Concluding, Mr. Bloodworth said that at the present time he was the only candidate offering a definite policy, and the necessary qualifications for the position of mayor. The other candidates had not shown their fitness. He only asked for the same number of votes as he received at the last election and he would again use the letter of thanks which he had written to electors after the council polls on several occasions. The speaker was applauded on a number of occasions and received an attentive hearing. He promised to go into the different problems of the city at future meetings. After answering a number of questions he was accorded a unanimous vote of confidence, which was carried with applause.