PROTEST AGAINST A MAYOR'S REMARKS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 195, 7 May 1918, Page 4

PROTEST AGAINST A MAYOR'S REMARKS

DISORDERLY PROCEEDINGS. By Telegraph-Press Association. Christchurch, May 6, A meeting called to protest against remarks mado at Ainberley recently by Mr. Holland, Mayor-of CUnstchurch, m which ho advised departing soldiers not to bring back English factory girls as wives was held to-night m the trades Hall. Tho meeting wits disorderly throughout, and tho proceedings were decidedly humorous. The chairwoman called for speakers, whereupon a lady mounted tho platform and harangued tho audience at somo length on tho way English girls aud women epont their lint.bands' money, tho "poor little betgiunis," and a number of other subjec s. During tho courso of her remarks elm stated that tho costume she had on was fivo years old. (Wild applause.) A resolution was put by a returned soldier: "That this meeting demand a public apology from the Mayor for hw. slander of English girls." Amid considerablo uproar, tho motion was declared carried. „,,,,. .. A further motion, "That this meeting co up to the Mayor's houso and make him apologiso right away," tos defeated, tho principal opposer stating that it thev did go to tho Mayor's house thero would bo forty thousand police about, and tho newspapers would say it was a disgraceful scene. A ladv member of the audience then suggested that tho meeting should go up in a ladylike maimer. (Laughter.) It was decided to demand a public apology through 'ho Press. A female voice: "Through Sir James Allen. A number of people then attempted to speak together, and there was considerable disorder, above which the voice ot the chairwoman could be heard vainly demanding peace. Eventually a committee was elected O deal with the matter, one of those- elected hoine the returned soldier who mowrt the first resolution. Upon his declining to bo one of the committee he was violently harangued by a woman in tho audience, but eventually on the voices it was decided to allow him to retract. Tho meeting then adjourned.