CRITICISM AND VALUES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 8

CRITICISM AND VALUES

MR. BLOODWORTH HITS OPPONENTS

WHOSE BLACK CAT?

“I have definite reason to believe that Mr. W. H. Murray cannot possibly win in the forthcoming contest for the mayoralty,” declared Mr. T. Bloodworth, speaking at the Remuera Library Hall last evening. Mr. Bloodworth had some severe things to say about the other starters in the Mayoral Handicap.

“Mr. Murray has never once offered a constructive suggestion in civic affairs,” said the speaker. ‘‘Everything he says is destructive. Not that I object to criticism. On the contrary, I think it is a splendid thing, and I have often exercised the privilege myself. But I like proper, legitimate criticism. I think Mr. Murray’s is of the worst type and likely to undermine the very principles of democratic government.” The by-election held five months ago and contested by the speaker and Mr. J. R. Lundon, who had advertised himself conspicuously as "a Murray candidate,” had shown definitely how public opinion lay. The speaker had walked away with a comfortable win of 2,000 votes. Mr. Bloodworth produced a clipping which had been published by Mr. Lundon following on the by-election. It referred to the excellent qualities of Mr. Bloodworth, the defeated candidate praising him highly. “And now he is saying the very opposite about me,” said the speaker. “Mr. Lundon either made a mistake when he published that or he is making one now.” TITLE OF DANIEL Mr. Bloodworth brushed aside the chances of Mr. H. E. Vaile. “He has had no experience of municipal matters in this city,” he said, “and up till a month ago no one knew he was interested. “Now there is a little controversy between Mr. Vaile and Mr. Baildon,” continued Mr. Bloodworth. “As a result Mr. Vaile has taken to himself the title of Daniel.” “I object to that,” said the speaker, plaintively. “When I was a chorister I used to sing “Dare To Be a Daniel,” and that influenced me considerably. I have stood alone in various public meetings in this city and I think the title rightly belongs to me.” Referring to Mr. Vaile’s publicity propaganda, Mr. Bloodworth waxed humorous. “That reminds me of an-

other Biblical character,’* he said. “Mr. Vaile is the giant Goliath and I am little David who will beat him. Though I don’t want to kill him —only metaphorically,” he concluded, amid laughter.

Just then a black cat walked on to the stage behind the speaker. “That cat follows me all round the place,” declared Mr. Bloodworth. “No, I don’t bring it with me. It’s not my own trained one,” he added. MR. BAILDON’S FAILURE

What Mr. Baildon lacked was the faculty of leadership and he showed no sign of developing it, continued the speaker. The failure of the present council was due to that fact. The machinery of the city administration required a strong man to overhaul it. Mr. Baildon had had his chance and failed.

In making an appeal for support for himself Mr. Blood worth said: “I was not born in Auckland. I was born in England, where my father and mother happened to live, and of course I simply had to be born where they were. But I chose Auckland to live in, which is the most important thing.” The speaker briefly outlined his policy to advance the interests of the city, and to build a beautiful Auckland, stressing the great growth of the city during the past few years. At the conclusion of the address Mrs. Victor Macky, who is also a candidate for municipal honours, spoke' in Mr. Bloodworth’s favour. A number of questions were asked, the candidate giving satisfactory answers. Confidence was expressed in the speaker.