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Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 10

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DEUPTY MAYOR’S TELEGRAM RESENTED ALLEGED POLITICAL BIAS [From Our Parliauextari Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 15. Following upon a telegram sent by Cr J. Hodgens, M.P., to the town clerk regarding the conduct ot the inquiry into the staffing at the gasworks the Palmerston North City Council last night, at a special meeting (reportsi a Press Association telegram), passed resolutions removing Cr Hodgens from the position of deputy-mayor, chairman of the Lighting Committee, and as city representative on the committee negotiating with the Power Board in the electrical dispute. Cr Hodgens was not present, as he was obliged to be in \vei Bn a. chairman of the Industries and Commerce Committee of the House. Cr W. B. Tennent announced that as a result of the wording of the telegram he was taking court proceedines against Cr Hodgens. I Sm somewhat surprised to learn of the extremes to which a' majority of the council went last evening, stated Mr Hodgens, commenting on tne Palmerston North City Council s resolutions. “My resentment as expressed in a telegram, was the result of the false charges levelled at me by Cr Tennent at a meeting of the council some weeks ago, when he made certain allegations against me in connection with the engagement of council employees. It seems to me that this is a political move, and .colour is lent to that'assumption in view of the tact that 1 am the only Labour representative on the council. The report, as published, only gives one side ot the case, and in order that the public may learn of all the details 1 would welcome any Supreme Court action that might be taken against me. as that would give me the opportunity of letting the public know how the inquiry was conducted, how the witnesses were called, and the manner in .which the questions that were put to witnesses were framed. I have noted since the election, a marked political bias shown by certain councillors against me. •