COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 May 1938, Page 7

COUNCIL CANDIDATES

ADDRESSES IN OPERA HOUSE VIEWS ON BOROUGH AFFAIRS. NEW BATHS GENERALLY FAVOURED. Candidates for the Mayoralty, Borough Council, Wairarapa Power Board and Wellington Harbour Board addressed a public meeting held in the Opera House last night. There was a fair attendance. The views of borough council candidates are given below and those of the other candidates appear elsewhere in this issue. Mr R. N. Shaw, who presided, said the meeting was organised by the Wairarapa Trades and Labour Council which had a membership of 23,000 and was definitely non-political. Mr Shaw denied a rumour that Mr L. J. Taylor, a candidate for the Mayoralty, was nominated and' was being supported by any political party. At the conclusion of the meeting he said: “I would like to ask the local paper to be more careful in future before it introduces party politics into local body elections when there was no thought of it.”

Observing that the Citizen’s Committee had requested the electors to return the old councillors, Mr G. W. Morice said he had no quarrel with the present councillors, but he considered it would be a good policy to inject new blood into local bodies. He went on to state that he had endeavoured to do his bit to serve the community. He had no cut and dried policy. It was high time they had a better water supply in Masterton and he was quite sure the people would not mind paying for it as long as they got value for their money. (Applause). A rest room was a necessity and he would like to see some improvement in the Municipal Library. He supported new swimming baths and considered further playing areas should be acquired before they were built on. The time had come for the borough to make further progress. Mr C. H. Anderson said that when he was previously a member of the council for three terms, he was there for progress and he stood for progress again. All knew that Masterton wanted a better water-supply and baths but it was a question of money. Whatever could be done he would support. Those who owned property in Queen Street were already very heavily rated. If he was returned to the council he would support any proposal towards the progress and benefit of the town. He had always been keenly interested in the beautification of the town. He acted according to his own conscience.

“As far as Masterton is concerned,” said Councillor H. E. Gardner, “I look upon it as the best town of its size in New Zealand.” He added that he would like to see the baths brought up-to-date and a rest room provided. After referring to the fire fighting services, reported elsewhere, Councillor Gardner said that questions which cropped up from time to time had to be viewed from all angles and standpoints, and they had to jump their hurdles as they came to them. If he was elected again he would still do his best and his vote would be in the interests of the borough. Mr C. R. Goudge advocated an improved water supply, and referred to the fundamental principles associated with successful administration. He favoured the collection of rates on a basis of equality and impartiality, the exercise of care and discretion in the expenditure of borough money, living within means, the sanctity of contracts and increased efficiency. He would, if elected, investigate the possibilities of the Government’s rural library scheme and of obtaining a Carnegie grant. He favoured the right of Councillors to tender and contract for borough work in competition with other contractors and considered the council should render every possible assistance to the unemployed and should prohibit liquor in the Municipal Hall during public dances.

Mr A. T. Jackson said that as a member of the council he had tried to work for the good of the ratepayers. The abattoir was a paying concern and the gas committee,, of which he was a member, was trying to make the gas department a paying concern. He favoured the installation of new baths. A lot of things could not be done unless they had the money and the council could only spend what it collected in rates, after it had paid its way otherwise. He strongly favoured the tar sealing of roads and footpaths. Unless the rates were increased the council could not spend much more on the Park.

Councillor W. Kemp, after making some reference to the fire brigade, reported in another column, spoke of the necessity of new baths and referred to the possibilities of covered tepid baths. 100 ft. by 50ft., which would cost about £16.000. “Is Masterton prepared to have covered baths?" he asked. “I say they cannot be fair baths for Masterton unless they are covered in." Referring to the water supply he maintained that people who used an extraordinary amount of water should be put on the meter system and that the supply pipes should be cleaned out. He believed that there was enough intelligence put on the borough council at each election for the council to run the borough library. Councillor Kemp asserted that the drop in the number of subscribers was not peculiar to Masterton, but was world-wide.

Mr H. H. Liddle said he had already published his platform and that most speakers had taken a lead from it. He claimed that money could be saved and cited an expenditure of £4OO proposed over a period of five years for the Wellington Art Gallery and the cost of boring for artesian water, which Mr Jordan had said was £2OO.

but he (Mr Liddle) believed would amount to a good deal more. He read a letter which had been refused publication unless it was paid for. “That’s the letter they wanted £2 10s to put in,” he said. A voice: “It’s worth it.” (Laughter) . “Ladies and gentlemen,” said Mr Liddle in conclusion, “if you don’t like me vote for the other fellow every time.” Stating that he always had the interests of the ratepayers at heart, Councillor J. Ninnes said it was the councillors’ duty to get the best value for the ratepayers. There was not much wrong with their town. It stood comparison very fairly with other towns. He reminded his audience that the ratepayers, some years ago, had turned down a proposal to improve the water-supply, and claimed that the council could not be charged with not being progressive. During the last twelve months Government experts had been boring for water but could not get it in any quantity. Had they been successful the council would have been able to secure enough water for many years to come. He spoke of the necessity of new baths, stating that the percentage of drownings in New Zealand exceeded that of those killed in motor accidents. The council had a rest room in view and it was hoped it would be a reality in a very short period. Observing that he had served on the borough council for the past nine years and had endeavoured to do his best in the interests of the borough, Councillor W. White said every institution had to remember to live within its means. The town required lai - ger baths, covered in and personally he would like to see tepid baths if possible. The ratepayers had turned down a water supply scheme. Masterton was blessed with a gravitation supply and it was possible to get a good supply. The excessive waste of water in this and every town was very great. Referring to the library he said that he had read 1000 books from it and they had satisfied him. He considered that the library committee as It was operating today was doing good work. “Masterton," he added, “is a good, bright clean town and it is our duty to keep it so.”