THE ATTACK ON THE ACTING=MAYOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1190, 27 July 1911, Page 6

THE ATTACK ON THE ACTING=MAYOR.

CORRESPONDENTS' OPINIONS. A GENERAL PROTEST. [To tho Editor.] Kir, —To me it seems nothing short, of scandalous (hat a Minister of the 'Crown should be so wanting-in manners and good taste as to treat the chief citizen of the capital city in tho manner Mr. M'Kenzie did Mr. John Smith on Tuesday. The people of Wellington, through their members,' will Certainly make'ah emphatic protest when Parliament assembles. But what can you expect of a .Minister who listens to the back-door tattling of a few discontented men in what is absolutely the best paid work in the whole of tho Dominion?—l am, etc., . CIVIS. AN APOLOGY SUGGESTED. ' [To the Editor.] Sir,—ln the interest of the dignity and honour of our city, I write, complaining of the treatment received by our ActingMayor. Mr. M'Keuzie's remarks were in keeping with, tho man, but, nevertheless, insulting and degrading to us as a community. _ We ought, as a body of citizens, to insist that our representative be received with at least common courtesy. I would also, suggest that an apology to our Mayor be insisted on.—l am, etc., PRO BONO PUBLICO. Wellington, July 26, 1911. "CONFIDENTIAL" PUBLIC DOCUMENTS. [To the Editor.] Sir,—There seems to be a disposition in some quarters to blame the Acting-Mayor for publishing the proposed tramway regulations, as they were marked "Confitlential." This evidently arises from ■ a want of knowledge.in the conduct of pub- ! lie affairs. Mr. Smith's action may Have been wise or foolish, but he was undoubtedly within his rights. It was a great blunder of someone to mark the regulations ".Confidential." No ono writing to a public official in his public capacity on public affairs can claim to havo his communication treated as private, no matter how it is marked. If anyone doubts the correctness of this principle, I refer him to the evidence of Joseph Chamberlain, given when Colonial Secretary/before the Parliamentary inquiry into the Jameson Raid, when he told Dr. Uutherfurd Harris that any communication, although made in confidence, would bo used by him (Chamberlain) in any way ho thought proper. A very short consideration will show that it would be impossible to conduct public affairs otherwise. How ran a mayor advise his council or instruct his officers, or avoid deceiving the public if he must keep hidden information that he possesses. How can a public official know a, fact in his private capacity, and not use his knowledge in his public actions? Sir, 1 thank the Acting-Mayor for knowing his duty, and doing it. 1 hate, secrecy in public affairs. I hate tho very idea of letters to public officials on public affairs being labelled confidential. ' I believe that all public actions and letters should be open to tho light of day, and public criticism. And as a citizen I resent exceedingly tho arrogant, boorish conduct of the Minister to our much-respect-td Acting-Mayor, who has dono the city yeoman service, and who has conducted himself throughout with great prudence, and in a perfectly correct, justifiable, and honourable manner, to his everlasting credit, and for the welfare of the public interest,—l am, etc., A. G. FELL.

AN OPEN LETTER. TO THE HON. E. M'KENZIE. [To the Editor.] Sir,—l should liko to discuss tramway and railway, matters with you, but as you would '.probably ring for a policeman and turn me out, I writo to you—it seems safer. Vou say the' Wellington trams "are tho worst in'the world." How can you say a thing which is obviously contrary to fact? What do you know of trams? If you know anything of trams, you know that, so far from being tho worst, they stand high on the list among tho very best. You talk of protecting the lives of Wellington citizens from tho Mayor and councillors. I'll take up your challenge. In the last five years the trams have carried over 100,000,000 people- They carry three for every one carried by the railways. Would you like to move for a comparative return of the killed,and wounded? You know better—you dare not. You say 'the Mayor and councillors treat the tram hands badly. Can you explain, then, why there is always such a rush of men to get into the tram service? Are the railway people, ruled by your colleague, Mr. Millar, a. happy "or contented lot of men?

Now, Mr. M'Kenzie, I want to call your attention to a. matter that cries to heaven for relief—tho railways, so mishandled by your colleague, Mr. Miliar. Last week the AVellington races were on. The trains were packed. Somo people had to stand up for a whole weary hour. Your colleague overcrowds the trains—and does not even provide straps for tho wearied stand-ups. Is that right? Your colleague often sells first-class fares, and then people have to ride in open trucks. Is that fair? Your, colleague- carries thousands of people in hateful trucks in the teeth of a south-wester. . AYhy don't you. tackle him?

Again, Mr. Cabinet Minister: Last "Wednesday, coming back from the races, an engine' broke down—every passonger took two hours to conio back to town from Trentham. Last Saturday the engine broke down between AVellington and. Pctonc. and footballers had. their afternoon's sport spoilt. A few days ago the train leaving hero for Auckland smashed into another, and hurt several people. After all. the AVellington trams are better managed than your railways.

Last week I got into a first-class railway carriage. It was filthy and foulsmelling—most unhealthy. Really, it was disgraceful—not to bo compared even with the AA'ellington trams, though you call them tho worst in the world.

As a constant rider in the train, will' you please try to bring them at least nearly up to the level of AVellington trams, and make them comfortable to us who suffer?—l am, etc., AVELLINGTON.