Wellington Address.

Grey River Argus, 2 March 1927, Page 5

Wellington Address.

LABOUR COUNCILLORS SIGN. BUT OBJECT TO WORDING. The Labour members of the City Council, Councillors Semple, Mi-Keen, and Glover, have entered a protest against the wording the city's address to the Duke and Duehess of York, bnt I have signed the address as a matter ot courtesy in welcoming the Loyal v isiB T The following statement was handed \ to the Mayor, by Councillor Semple:— | ‘‘We have signed the address of welI come to the Duke and Duehess of York " as an expression of our agreement with

the city’s extension of courtesy and hospitality to the visitors. While we cordially endorse that portion of the address which expresses their sentiments, we wish it to be distinctly understood that we entirely dissociate ourselves from the political opinions and propaganda contained in it, and which, in our opinion, is entirely extraneous to its avowed purpose. We consider that political questions on which there are well defined and well known differences of opinion should not have been introduced into such a document. We are entirely opposed to the militaristic agencies of force and war. We conscientiously believe that declarations of such a nature are in direct conflict with the of peace and goodwill between the nations which houM more fittingly have occupied a prominent position in the address, particularly in those times of serious international problems and dangers.

“We were not consulted in regard to wording of the address of welcome, as we consider we ought to have been, and for the reasons given are compelled to express dissent from portions of the document, while affixing our names ns an indication that we join in the welcome. ’ ’

Councillor IT. D. Bonnett said that he hoped that the Labour councillors,

’ i\ ing entered their protest, would let the matter rest there. It was pleasing that they had, notwithstanding their objection to certain thoughts which had I n n ex pressed in the address, signed as members of the council. The Labour councillors, replied .Councillor Semple, had entered their protest end did not wish to carry the matter further. KITCHEN CAR EXPLOSION. CTTRISTCHTJRCH, March 1. ) An explosion occurred yesterday at Addington Workshops, in a gas stove* of the kitchen car of the Royal train.l injuring two workmen slightly. Thel • damage to the ear was not serious though at first, there were rumours it. had been partly wrecked.