ABOUT A MEETING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2318, 27 November 1914, Page 3

ABOUT A MEETING

MAYOR AND MODERATES SOME ACRID CORRESPONDENCE In yesterday's Dominion was given the Mayor's reply to the Moderate Lcague'6 protest against his consenting to act as chairman of the meeting arranged for this evening by the "No License" League, and asking the secretary to apply for seats on the platform to the secretary of the latter body, as he (the Mayor) had nothing to do with the seating arrangements. Yesterday morning the following letter was sent to the Mayor by the presij dent of the Moderate League:— "Sir, —I thank you for your letter of the 26th, and note that you say that although, as Mayor of the Oity, you have consented to preside at the meeting, you have nothing to do with the organisation of same, and refer us to the secretary of the No-License League. Judging by the advertisement the responsibility of the No-License League as such is apparently not engaged, and the public are only referred to yourself as Mayor, Messrs. A. E. Atkinson, 0. C. Mazengarb, and H. H. Cornish for the ■purpose of the meeting which is advertised in the 'Evening Post' of November 21, as 'Moderate League unmasked,' 'Humbug exposed,' 'Cant demolished,' and in .a leaflet bearing your official designation which, states, 'Fertile in the production of shams, the liquor trade has now fabricated the. Moderate League'; 'It (the League) does not dare to sail under its true colours, which are, the skull and crossbones of the liquor trade'; 'Don't miss the chance' of seeing it pilloried and.finally pulverised at the Town Hall, Friday, November 27.' As this constitutes a direct attack upon a section of your citizens, your responsibility as Mayor, in the' opinion of the League, cannot be set aside. I shall write to the No-License League as you suggest,' but think_ it probable that such "body may' decline to accept the responsibility which you, it would appear, have undertaken by the continued publication of your official designation.—l am, etc., (Signed) A. A. S. Menteath, president." The Moderate League calls further public attention to the leaflet referred to above, by publishing it m full in our advertising icolumns, .with! a request that the speakers substantiate it. The executive of the League requests any of its members present at the meeting to give the speakers a fair hearing.

ATTITUDE OF THE PROMOTERS. Th attitude of the promoters of the Prohibition meeting is. disclosed in the following letter .which, was received by the Mayor yesterday: : — . , - "Wellington, November 26,' 1914. "His Worship the Mayor. "Dear Mr.■ Mayor—Oa behalf of the promoters'of the Prohibition meeting to be held in the Town Hall to-morrow, I write to say that they are both surprised and pleased by the request of the Moderate League for accommodation on the platform. They have never heard .of a Cabinet asking for seats on the platform of a-Leader of the Opposition on the ground that he might be saying something to their disparagement, and it is not obvious why a different practice should be' adopted' hero. All the same, we feel that the innovation proposed has much to recommend it, and in the present oase can have hone | but cheerful consequences. Let the accommodation bo provided accordingly for the representatives proposed and for as many more members of the Moderate League as care to come. Should the Licensed 'Victuallers' Asso-'l ciation or the directors of Staple's, brewery desire a similar privilege they* wlilt be • equally welcome. Wle onjy' stipulate in return that if and when any of these organisations have the coinage to summon a public meeting on their own account, a similar courtesy will, be extended to us., "Yours faithfully, "A. R; ATKINSON." "P.S.—Since this letter was written, I have seen the appeal of the.Moderate League for further information regarding to-morrow's meeting. With all respect for that estimable body,, it. does seem' to me that it is now asking a little too much, that it ifi for once exceeding the bounds of true moderation. Strictly without prejudice, however, and speaking entirely for. myself, I may say that I have not been diverted from my original design -by the terrors if the League's disapproval. My intention was, and is, to deal faithfully and firmly but gently and- in strict moderation with the Moderate League, and I have many things'to say which it would be much better for the executive to hear in person. —A.R.A." The secretary of the Moderate League states that ho did not ask for further information regarding the meeting, hut inquired whether it was the intention of-tho promoters to-carry out their original programme or morely hold a prohibition rally. ;■■''.