BOROUGH BY-ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1922, Page 4

BOROUGH BY-ELECTION.

ADDRESS BY LABOR CANDIDATE. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) presided over a small attendance in the Workers’ Social Hall last night, when Mr. R. J. Clarke addressed ratepayers in his own interests as the Labor candidate in the approaching municipal election. Mr. G. T. Scott and Mr. W. H. Fitzpatrick spoke at some length concerning the. claims of Lab.»r and its relationship to municipal politics. Mr. Clarke declared that if local goverr. meat authority was to be a success it must be thoroughly representative, therefore th« New Plymouth Labor Association was contesting this election chiefly in the interests of people who labor, but who are not ratepayers. The New Plymouth Council now employs a large number of workers, so it was necessary to have complete understanding between employer and employee, thus eliminating strife and trouble. In outlining Labor’s policy with regard to the tramways, Mr. Clarke strongly advocated any extension serving a fair proportion of people, provided always that the cost is a reasonable charge over the ratepayers. If Fitzroy had developed because of the trams, it was justifiable to suppose that other suburbs would progress accordingly, and peop ! e would be enabled to live in a freer environment, away from the confines of the brick area. Labor would support easy access to every home in or around New Plymouth. The speaker also favored the hydro-electric enterprise, and believed that power should be available for the home, the factory and the farm wherever wanted. In conclusion, Mr. Clarke moved a hearty vote of thanks to the cnairman.

In reply, Mr. Wilson stated that he was only too pleased to preside at any public meeting held with open doors. As far as he was concerned he knew not_ capital, Labor, or any other class. He wished, however, to exp l ain that all persons who have been residing for a certain time were entitled to vote, and he hoped they would not miss the opportunity given them at the poll to-morrow.