FOUR CANDIDATES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 8, 31 March 1927, Page 9

FOUR CANDIDATES

GO TO MAYORAL POLL “CITIZENS’ ” DECISION SUPPORT FOR MR. WARNOCK The refusal of Mr. G. Baildon, Mayor of„Auckland, to submit his candidature to arbitration, in the coming mayoralty election, was considered by meetings of the Citizens’ Progressive Election Committee evening and this morning. In view of Mr. Baildon’s attitude the committee decided to re-affirm its confidence in Mr. J. A. Warnock, Deputy-Mayor, the nominee of the committee. At its meetings the Citizens’ Committee had before it the refusal of Mr. Baildon to go to arbitration, together with his reasons as outlined at the meeting of his committee. Mr. Baildon’s reply stated that the committee and Mr. Warnock knew of his (Mr. sßaildon’s) intentions, before Mr. WarSiock was approached. Mr. Baildon’s letter went on to state: “It must be obvious, then, that the league’s action has brought about the trouble which it is now apparently anxious to avoid. I

feel that, as the retiring Mayor, the only arbitration which would be acceptable to me and satisfactory to the citizens, would be that of the electors of the city, and consequently I cannot under the circumstances see my way clear to accede to your request.” The committee deplored the refusal of Mr. Baildon and expressed gratitude at the reasonable atttiude of Mr. Warnock. The offer of arbitration having been definitely refused by Mr. Baildon, and no further action being possible in that direction, the committee unanimously decided to support Mr. Warnock’s candidature to its utmost effort. Mr. S. M. Stuart, secretary of the Citizens’ Committee, stated this morning that a report that the “ trend of discussion at the meeting of his committee was to the effect that there was still hope of enlisting the candidature of some citizen whose eminence and personality would inspire the undivided confidence of electors,” was quite incorrect. “ The committee first of all thoroughly considered Mr. Warnock’s suitability for the position, and Stuart. “ The committee has since had approved his candidature,” stated Mr. no cause to change its opinion. The committee’s action in endeavouring to bring the candidates to arbitration did not indicate in any way that the committee was dissatisfied with Mr. Warnock’s qualifications. The committee in taking the action merely demonstrated that its interests primarily were the interests of the city’s welfare.” Unless some, further development takes place the poll will therefore see a division of voting between Messrs. G. Baildon, J. A. Warnock, T. Bloodworth (Labour), and H. Schmidt (Independent). MR. SCHMJDT AT REMUERA Mr. Harold Schmidt addressed a well-attended meeting at Remuera last evening, and advocated street widening and an arcade of shops with a promenade on the roof for the Civic Square, and no further expenditure on securing water from Waitakere. He was accorded a vote of confidenceCOUNCIL CANDIDATE Mr. A. Hall Skelton has consented to offer himself as a candidate for the City Council as an entirely independent candidate, pledged only to the electors and ratepayers generally to do his duty by them fearlessly and honestly. After delivering his lecture on “The wonderful history of the Auckland City Corporation from 1840 to 1927” in several centres, he will deliver a series of addresses showing cogent reasons for prudence in a civic policy, for the next two years, owing to the very rapid policies of Messrs .Parr and Gunson overtaxing, both the city and the ratepayers during their regime and some years beyond. the taxable capacity of the city to carry the load.