THE DIFFERENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 April 1927, Page 11

THE DIFFERENCE

ACCORDING TO MR. BLOODWORTH PAST WORK AND PRESENT APATHY “In what way, if any, does the present council differ from the past?” was a question put to Mr. Bloodworth, mayoral candidate, at Kemuera last evening. Mr. Bloodworth said the present council had been characterised as apathetic, compared with the active bouic: preceding it. “It is purely a question of leadership,” remarked the candidate. “I served under Sir James Gunson in three councils, and he was an able administrator, and an able leader. He didn’t leave things to chance, and always had a leading motion ready The present Mayor is a nice gentleman, and I like him, but he is no leader of men. The consequence has been, during the last term, instead of one mayor, there have been four or five. Some members have been round the council chambers for many years ” A Voice: Too long! Mr. Bloodworth: That is a matter of opinion. For ten years Sir James Gunson proved an able leader and a democrat. These councillors learned to lean on him, and when he was taken away they had no one to lean on. I say this with no disrespect. It was very difficult to be a councillor and keep up with Sir James Gunson. These councillors are gaining ground, but they have got split into different groups. They want a leader to keep them together. The whole difference has been in the leadership.”