THE GERMAN CONTROVERSY.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1918, Page 4

THE GERMAN CONTROVERSY.

BOROUGH

Before the Borough Council rose last evening, Mr A. B. Stapleton said lie wished to refer to a statement made that the town had been better run by aliens (?) than it was being run now. He wished to enter his protest at sncli remarks. He had always endeavored to keep everything in order. If it was thought that they were not carrying on properly he was quite prepared to resign his seat in tho Council and contest it with any of those who thought they were better than the present Council is. Mr H. M. Coulson said he wished to say a few words. He was not a ‘pacifist at any price. He preferred to be thought a narrow-minded Britisher. He felt it was our duty to resent the statements stated to be made, if they were made It was not right at a time like this to allow it to pass by unnoticed. It w&s a time when we were iu great danger. It was not right to allow anyone to say such things. He thought that the remarks were made in the heat of temper, to the effect that the town was run more effectively in the past by Germans than at the present time. He thought the Council should resent the statement.

Mr Preston said he had been asked by Mr Coulson to state wliat. the words spoken were. He might say that they were made in the heat of temper or strong argument. The words were used by a prominent and patriotic man. If he said them in the heat of temper it was excusable. The Mayor—Or forgettable. Mr Preston—lt is said that a drunken man bften lets out the truth. As near as he could remember the words used were when drawing a comparison to the Council, he could not say why they -were drawn into the argument unless it was because he (Mr Preston) was in front of the speaker, “That he could rememberthe Council being run more efficiently when it was run practically by Germans.”

The Mayor —Those were the days when the' Borough staff had to wait six months for their salaries. Mr Preston continued that he resented the remarks at the time and he resented them still. Their sons and In others were fighting for. t hem, and some of them had laid down their lives for the freedom they enjoyed, and he for one was not going to stand and let anyone say we were not as good as a German. Mr J, King said his name had been mentioned, but lie was not present and did not knoW what took place.

The Mayor said he believed if the words were used they were said in ; anger, and would be regretted un- . mediately. j Mr Coulson said •if the speaker | was the man he thought he ■ was he (would publicly retract his words. There was no frtrther remark, and the incident closed.

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