COUNCILLOR HISLOP IN REPLY.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2200, 13 July 1914, Page 10

COUNCILLOR HISLOP IN REPLY.

Sir,—'May I avail myself of your columns to refer to a wrong 'impression which appears to have arisen from some remarks of' mine made at the meeting of the City Council held on Thursday last. It is;stated in tlio local columns of this morning's Dominion that Mr.' C. W. Palmer has taken strong exception to' my having referred to the Navy League as a political body organised l'or a political purpose. I certainly - made use of this expression, and I cannot see my way to withdraw it. However, I should like to make it clear- that I did not say and I do not believe that the Navy League is a party organisation. A body organised for the purpose of influencing the policy of the State is undoubtedly a political ■ organisation. When I joined the Navy League, I did 60 .upon the assumption that it was a body organised for the purpose of influencing the British Government, of the day in such a ,way that it would maintain an efficient standard of naval defence. This •is • clearly a political purpose, though not one which divides tho great parties, Conservative and Liberal. It lias, however, its sincere opponents among certain sections of the British people. lam not of this number. Now, sir, to come to tho occasion of my remarks. It wa.s proposed by tho Finance 'Committee of'the council to grant' the use. of the Town Hall at a much .lower price to tho Navy League than:to the Society'for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The council, as the'trustees of the hall, which is tlio common property of. all; the citizens, must act impartially in letting the hall. Hence I characterised the proposal of the committee to grant, a greater concession to the Navy Leagjuo than to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals as improper. It was a pro-' posal to favour, a body, . a political organisation, a body having in tlie community opponents genuine arid sincere, although-most of us disagree with them, but to refuse a similar,favour to a body in uo sense political, purely benevolent, and universally approved. Moreover tho Society for the Preventjon of Cruelty to Animals is urgently in'need of funds.. The League.with its huge member-' ship is-not, and ought 'not to be. in' need of funds. ; . • I favoured; granting, the same concession to the. Society .for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aninials as' to the Navy League, and "carried my amendment to that effect. If, 'however, any distinction was' to be made in the treatment of the two bodies, the greater concession should undoubtedly have gone to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty/ to Animals.. I trust.l'bare succeeded in calming Mr. Palmer's "wrath.—l aril,. etc., , ' T. C. A. HISLOP. . July 11, 1914. ..